Metro Manila markets comply with imported premium rice price guidance - DA
Metro Manila, Philippines - Many Metro Manila markets under monitoring by the Department of Agriculture were compliant on Day 1 of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on imported premium rice, a DA official said Monday, Jan. 20.
Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said 13 out of 21 markets in its monitoring followed the P58 per kilogram MSRP, which took effect on Monday.
These were New Las Piñas City Public Market, New Marulas Public Market, Mandaluyong Public Market, Marikina Public Market, Maypajo Public Market, Mutya ng Pasig City Mega Market, Obrero Market, Malabon Central Market, Quinta Market, Pritil Market, Cartimar Market, Navotas Agora Market, and San Andres Market.
In DA’s initial list, Guadalupe Commercial Complex and Pasay Public Market still had imported premium rice sold for more than P58 per kg.
The remaining six markets had no available imported rice but DA said it would continue to validate data.
Asked what would happen to non-compliant retailers, De Mesa said: “Patuloy na mino-monitor, magsa-submit ng report sa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), LGUs (local government units) regarding sa non-compliance. Iche-check pa namin kung ano ang mangyayari afterward.”
[Translation: The DA continues to monitor and will submit a report to the DTI and LGUs regarding non-compliance. We will check what will happen to them afterwards.]
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said last week violators of the price ceiling would face a fine of P5,000 to P1 million.
“‘Yong P58 was set dahil to give time sa lahat ng players sa value chain, to check contracts at ma-release ang old stocks,” De Mesa explained.
[Translation: The P58 was set to give time to all players in the value chain, to check contracts and release old stocks.]
He said the DA is eyeing to bring down the MSRP to P55 in two weeks. Other plans include expanding the MSRP to other imported varieties and implementing it in supermarkets.
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Retailers’ perspective
As of Monday, the prevailing price of imported regular milled rice was at P40, well-milled at P48, premium at P55, and special at P58.
Some retailers at the Mega Q Mart and Commonwealth Market in Quezon City told NewsWatch Plus they have been selling imported premium rice at P58 even before the agency’s announcement.
Rice retailer Betty Miguel said she was selling her imported premium rice at P55 and does not intend to raise it to P58.
“Basta sa amin meron lang konting tubo naman okay na rin ‘yon, ang mga tao naman kapag tinaas mo naman magrereklamo ‘yang mga ‘yan,” Miguel said.
[Translation: For our business, it’s okay to have just a small income since consumers would complain if you raise prices.]
Others have concerns about the possible lowering of the MSRP.
“‘Yong dati kasing P60 naging P58 siyempre natutuwa sila (consumers) kahit papaano… siguro mas matutuwa sila kung bababa pa kaya lang nasa amin naman ang burden,” Cristy Zara said, explaining it would be hard for them to recover in low profits.
[Translation: Consumers were happy when the imported premium rice was sold at P58 from P60. Maybe they will be happier if the cost drops but the burden would be on us.]
“Sana gawin nila (government) ang anuhin nila ang supplier namin… kasi kami wala kami magagawa sa gusto nilang presyo, eh,” Teresita Terrado said. “Kasi kami hangga’t maaari gusto namin magbenta ng mas mababa para makatulong… mahirap kumita pero mataas din ang puhunan.”
[Translation: I hope the government will push our suppliers. We cannot do anything with their preferred price. We aim to sell cheaper rice to help, knowing that it’s difficult to gain income, but the capital is really high.]
