Philippines
Metro Manila
QC, Valenzuela LGUs inspect markets for vendors' compliance with rice price cap
QC, Valenzuela LGUs inspect markets for vendors' compliance with rice price cap
Officials from the local governments of Valenzuela and Quezon Cities on Tuesday, Sept. 5, went to different public markets in their respective areas to check if vendors/retailers comply with the new price ceiling on rice as mandated by the national government.
In line with the national government’s goal to address the increasing prices of food and other necessities, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39 or the Imposition of Mandated Price Ceilings on Rice which sets the new price cap for regular milled rice (off white color) at P41 per kilogram and well-milled rice (white)at P45 per kilogram in public and private markets.
Premium and special types of rice such as Sinandomeng, Dinorado, Thai Jasmine, and Japonice are excluded from the price cap under the EO.
The new mandate also aims to address the widespread practice of alleged manipulation of prices of rice products in the country.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, along with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and city department heads, visited NEPA Q-Mart on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, QC to ensure that retailers, dealers and wholesalers in markets follow the new rice prices.
The local government said that the City Price Coordinating Council (QCPCC) also conducted monitoring in different market and stores to ensure the implementation of the EO in the city.
It added that all vendors in the markets they inspected on the first day of the EO implementation complied with the new price ceiling.
In Valenzuela, representatives from DTI and DA, together with the City Planning head Ms. Mely Dela Cruz, City Agriculture head Doc Basil Sison, and LEDIPO head Ms. Annaliza Vitug visited markets in the city on Tuesday, including SM Savemore branch and Marulas Market in Barangay Marulas, for a surprise inspection on retailers/vendors’ compliance with the new mandate.
They also checked if there are rice products that have no labels or are mislabeled.
The inspections will run throughout the week and coming weeks for strict monitoring and enforcement of EO 39, the local government said.
On Monday, Sept. 4, Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian met with 33 market masters and business owners, retailers and vendors to hear their thoughts, sentiments and concerns, as well as orient them about the executive order.
Before the orientation, the mayor also convened a meeting with DTI and DA representatives, DILG Valenzuela Director Sudi Valencia, members of the City Price Coordinating Council, and Chairman on Committee on Market and Slaughterhouse Councilor Ghogho Deato Lee to gain general knowledge on the EO and be familiarized with the penalties to be imposed on violators.
He also assembled a task force that will strictly implement the price ceiling.
The national directive aims to protect small-time traders and retailers as well as the consumers from widespread practice of illegal price manipulation and hoarding.
DTI representative Mr. Joel Buag said they will issue a notice of violation to vendors who will disobey the mandated price for rice.
The local government said vendors caught violating the mandate will be given 48 hours to submit an affidavit of explanation, including the necessary documents for investigation.
Buag added that the national government will provide aid to qualified small rice traders and retailers through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
“Buo po ang aking suporta sa inisyatibo ni Pangulong Marcos na naglalayong protektahan ang ating mga vendor at consumer mula sa pandaraya sa presyo at illegal rice trading kung kaya’t minabuti ko na rin po ang magbuo ng isang task force na tututok sa implementasyon nito sa lungsod (I fully support President Marcos’ initiative that aims to protect our vendors and consumers from price fraud and illegal rice trading, which is why I have decided to form a task force that will focus on its implementation in the city.),” Gatchalian said.