As government imposed suggested retail prices (SRP) for rice on Saturday, House Agriculture Committee chair and ANAC-Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban, Jr. urged rice retailers to toe the line and help the public cope with the high cost of living.
“I hope our rice retailers comply with the SRP. The problem of inflation is an issue that we all have to tackle as one. Sama-sama tayo rito, kaya sana tumugon ang mga rice retailer natin sa hamon na tumulong,” (We are all in this together. I hope rice retailers will answer the challenge to help) said Panganiban.
In addition to the imposition of the SRP, the National Food Authority (NFA) also ordered the simplification of rice labels.
Under the SRP, imported well milled rice should be sold for P39 per kilogram, while the price of imported premium rice is at P43 per kilo.
“We are all in this together. I hope rice retailers will answer the challenge to help.”
The SRP for local regular milled rice is P39 per kilo, P44 per kilo for well milled rice and P47 per kilo for premium rice.
Special rice, such as Cordillera heirloom, organic rice, Jasponica, Doña Maria, hinumay, malido, malagkit, and other indigenous rice varieties, are not subject to the SRP.
Panganiban expressed hope that retailers would not wait to be sanctioned before complying with the measure, which has been implemented to curb inflation and protect consumers from profiteering.
“Given our situation, I hope that solidarity with our fellow Filipinos will prove to be more valuable than profit.”
“Huwag na natin hintayin na mapatawan pa ng parusa (Let us not wait for sanctions to be imposed). Given our situation, I hope that solidarity with our fellow Filipinos will prove to be more valuable than profit,” the lawmaker said.
Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Piñol said penalties and sanctions for non-compliance with the SRP include the cancellation of NFA licenses, fines and possible criminal charges.
Panganiban also lauded the government for the implementation of the SRP, which he said comes at a good time with the incoming holiday season.
Panganiban said that with the anti-inflation measures that government has been implementing, the country can soon expect a reprieve from the high cost of prices.
He reiterated, however, the need to develop the agriculture sector, which has been one of the major contributors to inflation, as a long-term measure.
