Quezon City (QC) Mayor Joy Belmonte assured the city's small scale rice retailers who will be adversely affected by the imposition of the national government's Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2023 that the city government is ready to provide them with assistance in order for them to remain in business.

(Photo from Manila Bulletin)

Belmonte said this during the on-site inspection and monitoring by both the local and national governments on the prices of rice being sold at Mega Q Mart on Sept. 5.

The mayor was joined by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Atty. Agaton Uvero, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes, and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.

The said inspection was done to ensure that retailers are following the strict implementation of Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2023, or the mandated price ceiling for rice to prevent price manipulation by traders and retailers as directed by President Marcos to the DTI and Department of Agriculture (DA).

The order, which took effect starting Sept. 5, mandated the price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilogram and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice.

"The mandated price ceilings shall remain in full force and effect unless lifted by the President upon the recommendation of the Price Coordinating Council or the DA and the DTI," the EO read.

As of Aug. 28, the DA reported that the prices of regular milled rice in markets in Metro Manila ranged from P42 to P55 per kilogram. Meanwhile, local well-milled rice stood at P48 to P56 per kilogram.

“Nabalitaan natin na may ibang market stalls at tindahan na pansamantalang nagsara dahil hindi kinaya ang price cap sa bigas. Kaya naman gagawa tayo ng paraan na sila ay matulungan dahil kapag sila naman ang tumigil, apektado pati ang pamilya ng kanilang mga manggagawa na halos lahat naman ay taga-QC (We have received reports that some market stalls and stores temporarily closed because they cannot cope up with the price cap on rice. Hence, we will do our best to help them because if they stopped their operations, the families of their workers will also be affected because almost all of them live in QC)," Belmonte said.

“The city government may waive rental fees or provide discounts to rice dealers, wholesalers, and retailers in the city to help alleviate any challenges they may face due to these price adjustments,” she added.

This comes as part of the city’s commitment, through the QC Price Coordinating Council (QCPCC), to enforce the price ceiling on rice.

The mayor stressed that the city government is open to dialogue to address all concerns on the issue.

“Hindi natin isinusulong ang pagpataw ng parusa sa mga rice retailers. Alam naman natin ang kalagayan nila, hindi naman sila masasamang tao. Ang ating layunin, makipagdayalogo sa kanila para makahanap tayo ng win-win solution para sa mga nagtitinda at sa mga mamimili (We are not promoting the imposition of punishment or fines to rice retailers. We all know what they are going through and we know that they are not bad people. Our goal is to conduct a dialogue with them so we can find a win-win solution for both sellers and consumers)," she explained.

The local chief had also tasked the QCPCC Enforcement Team to closely monitor the compliance of all markets.

Additionally, the Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) and the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) have been instructed with the widespread dissemination, implementation, and adherence to the EO.

“The QCPCC has been ordered to regularly conduct dialogues and coordination with affected establishments and submit a comprehensive report to the relevant government agencies. This will include any attempts by individuals or establishments to exploit the situation to the detriment of our constituents, consumers, and small retailers already facing economic challenges due to soaring commodity prices,” said Ma. Margarita Santos, head of BPLD and MDAD Officer-in-Charge.

In line with the issuance of EO 39, Belmonte stressed the importance of cooperation between the city government and the dealers, wholesalers, and retailers of rice in the city.