'Ayuda' for rice retailers amid price cap? Romualdez says it's an option
At A Glance
- House Speaker Martin Romualdez is eyeing the possible release of aid or "ayuda" to small rice retailers who will be affected by the Palace-mandated price ceiling on the staple grain.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (center) inspects grains of rice inside a warehouse. (Speaker’s office)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez is eyeing the possible release of aid or "ayuda" to small rice retailers who will be affected by the Palace-mandated price ceiling on the staple grain.
This was bared by Romualdez Sunday, Sept. 3, even as he vowed to speak with leaders of rice retailers groups to discuss their fears that the rice price ceiling would make them lose money.
"We have to talk to them to come up with a win-win solution wherein they won't be adversely affected by the price ceiling," he said.
Romualdez said providing the retailers with a form of aid was being "looked at", but did not give any further details.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. had ordered through Executive Order (EO) No.39 that a price cap of P41 per kilo on regular milled rice, and P45 per kilo on well-milled rice would be implemented.
Retailers have complained about this since they acquire their rice products at nearly P50 per kilo from traders.
"Hindi naman manhid ang gobyerno kaya we want to listen to their concern and we will try to find a solution doon sa pangamba nila na malulugi sila (The government isn't callous, that's why we want to listen to their concern and we will try to find a solution on their fears that they will lose money)," Romualdez, leader of the 311-member House of Representatives, said.
"I-address natin iyung sinasabi nilang mataas na ang kuha nila sa traders. Pero syempre priority natin ang sambayanan na hirap na makabili ng bigas (We will address the high cost of rice from traders. But of course, our priority is to help our countrymen who find it hard nowadays to buy rice)," added the Speaker.