Manila, Philippines — Since the implementation of the P50 price cap on 5% broken imported rice in all markets nationwide on May 13 this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a total of 36 Notices of Violation (NOVs) to retailers found violating Executive Order No. 118, which enforces the rice price cap.
Of the 36 NOVs issued, the highest number came from Region I (Ilocos Region) with 19 violations, followed by Metro Manila with 8, Region III (Central Luzon) with 4, the Negros Island Region with 3, and Region V (Bicol Region) with 2.
According to the agency, the notices were issued following intensified market monitoring and inspection operations conducted across the country.
Inspectors found that some retailers were selling rice at prices ranging from P55 to P60 per kilogram, despite the mandated cap of P50 or lower.
Others were found mislabeling local rice as imported rice, resulting in labeling violations.
Despite these findings, consolidated data from regional field offices nationwide showed that 47.42% of retailers are now complying with the ₱50 price cap.
In response to complaints from retailers that they purchase rice from suppliers at higher prices, making it difficult to sell 5% broken imported rice at ₱50 per kilogram, the DA conducted inspections of several major rice warehouses to examine pricing and product quality.
The inspections revealed that some rice mills are now selling rice at P1,100 to P1,120 per 25-kilogram sack, up from the previous range of ₱1,000 to ₱1,050.
Meanwhile, the 30-day implementation period of the price cap is expected to end on June 12.
The DA, concerned government agencies, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have yet to decide whether the policy will be extended, lifted, or modified.
Data and information gathered by personnel conducting market inspections may serve as the basis for that decision.
Manila, Philippines — Since the implementation of the P50 price cap on 5% broken imported rice in all markets nationwide on May 13 this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a total of 36 Notices of Violation (NOVs) to retailers found violating Executive Order No. 118, which enforces the rice price cap.
Of the 36 NOVs issued, the highest number came from Region I (Ilocos Region) with 19 violations, followed by Metro Manila with 8, Region III (Central Luzon) with 4, the Negros Island Region with 3, and Region V (Bicol Region) with 2.
According to the agency, the notices were issued following intensified market monitoring and inspection operations conducted across the country.
Inspectors found that some retailers were selling rice at prices ranging from P55 to P60 per kilogram, despite the mandated cap of P50 or lower.
Others were found mislabeling local rice as imported rice, resulting in labeling violations.
Despite these findings, consolidated data from regional field offices nationwide showed that 47.42% of retailers are now complying with the ₱50 price cap.
In response to complaints from retailers that they purchase rice from suppliers at higher prices, making it difficult to sell 5% broken imported rice at ₱50 per kilogram, the DA conducted inspections of several major rice warehouses to examine pricing and product quality.
The inspections revealed that some rice mills are now selling rice at P1,100 to P1,120 per 25-kilogram sack, up from the previous range of ₱1,000 to ₱1,050.
Meanwhile, the 30-day implementation period of the price cap is expected to end on June 12.
The DA, concerned government agencies, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have yet to decide whether the policy will be extended, lifted, or modified.
Data and information gathered by personnel conducting market inspections may serve as the basis for that decision.