By IVY TEJANO
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-11 denied reports that there is a rice shortage in this city.
The DA-11 said that there is no rice shortage here based on their monitoring and data gathered from their partner-agencies.
DA-11 Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga directed their operations and marketing team, especially the Bantay Presyo Team, to investigate and shed light on the matter.
Gonzaga said the Facebook post alleging a rice supply shortage in some stores here has been removed.
The DA-National Plant Quarantine Services said that 3,465 metric tons (MT) or 69,300 50-kilo sack of rice recently arrived at the Port of Davao.
The DA-11 also said the National Food Authority-11 assured sufficient buffer stock.
“Our Bantay Presyo Team also reported that there is no significant price movement of rice in the past monitoring activities,” the DA-11 said.
The DA urged the public to be alert and report price manipulation, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel to authorities.
Hoarding, profiteering, and cartels violate Republic Act 7581 or Price Act, the DA said.
“Please contact us through (082) 226-3625 local 1125 or email us at [email protected] (for those who witnessed violating the Price Act),” the agency said.