A non-government organization composed of rice traders has expressed readiness to work with the government to provide consumers with affordable and quality rice after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s imposition of a price cap on rice.

(Keith Bacongco/File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement a released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) said it is working together with key government agencies to fulfill one of the President’s promises, provide affordable rice to Filipinos.

However, PRISM lead convenor Rowena Sadicon understands that not all rice traders and retailers welcome the rice price cap made through the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 39.

“Sa kabila po nito ay patuloy pa rin po kaming nakikiusap, at nakikipag-usap (Despite this, we continue to appeal and talk) rather, at (and) in partnership with the President and the government, together with the DA (Department of Agriculture) at ang ating pamahalaan. Ang gusto po natin ay magkaroon ng maayos na bigas sa ating pamilihan, na mabigyan po natin ng tamang presyo, na kung ano po ‘yung hinihiling sa atin (and our government. We like to have quality rice in our markets, with the right pricing, being asked from us),” she added.

“Maaari pong hindi maintindihan ng lahat sa simula pero eventually po sa sama-samang pagtutulong ng ating mga kasamahan sa industriya ng bigas ay mapapagtagumpayan din po lahat ito at maihahain po natin sa ating mga consumers ang ating murang bigas, na ito po ang layunin ng ating Pangulo (Maybe not everyone understands at first but eventually, through our cooperation with the stakeholders in the rice industry, we will succeed and we can provide to our consumers an affordable rice that is the goal of our President).”

Sadicon also expressed hope that PRISM members will understand the position of the Chief Executive.

“Ito po ay sana po masundan po ng ating mga stakeholders at maintindihan din nila. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong ito na pinakinggan n’yo rin kami at mapakinggan din po namin kung ano ang dahilan ng ating Presidente sa pagbigay ng executive order na ito. At andito po ang PRISM na patuloy na tutulong sa inyo (Hopefully, the stakeholders follow and understand this. Thank you very much for this opportunity that you listened to us and we can also hear the reasons of the President in issuing this executive order),” the lead convenor stressed.

She said she hoped for normalcy in the coming days since it would be the start of the "palay" harvest season, which is being seen as a way to stabilize rice prices in the country.

Marcos approved the recommendation by the DA and the Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) to impose mandated price ceilings on rice in the whole country on Thursday, Aug. 31, apparently to ensure reasonably priced and conveniently accessible rice to Filipinos amid the alarming increase in its retail prices in the market.

Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41 per kilogram, while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is P45 per kilogram.

The nationwide price cap on rice will take effect on Tuesday, Sept. 5, according to the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES).

This is the first time since 1995 that a price ceiling was imposed on rice. In July 1995, a price ceiling was set on basic commodities in Metro Manila to protect consumers against the artificial price increases resulting from the foot-and-mouth disease on livestock.