The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging retailers to comply with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58 for imported rice, which took effect on Monday, Jan. 20.

On Tuesday, officials of the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DA) inspected stalls selling rice at the Trabajo Market in Manila to ensure their strict compliance with the MSRP.

The government officials found that while vendors mostly complied with the new directive, there were still some retailers selling rice above the P58 per kilo limit.

“May mga namo-monitor pa tayo rito na P60 to P65 na rice per kilo pero brands kasi siya at local, hindi dapat mag-a-apply sa local ang MSRP. Relatively, bumababa na rin naman ang prices at sumasabay naman sila sa directives natin,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra.

(We're still monitoring some rice prices here at P60 to P65 per kilo, but these are branded and local varieties, where the MSRP shouldn't apply. Relatively, prices are decreasing and they are following our directives.)

She explained that retailers are just clearing out their inventory of rice purchased at a high price. Afterward, they will comply with the MSRP.

The DA did not impose any penalty during Tuesday’s initial monitoring.

The agency, however, warns that guidelines would be strictly enforced once the official regulations are released in February.

The MSRP for imported rice was implemented to ensure that rice remains affordable for consumers while also supporting the profitability of the rice industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel earlier said that further adjustments to the MSRP should be expected in the coming weeks.

Laurel warned that if the MSRP fails to bring down rice prices to “reasonable levels”, the DA will recommend price controls and ceilings.

Violations of these measures may result in fines of up to P1 million for offenders.

Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa is now urging retailers to negotiate prices with their suppliers to align with the P58 MSRP.

“Dapat mapag-usapan nila immediately ang stocks dahil sa susunod, hindi na puwedeng makakita kami ng ganito kataas na presyo, lalo na ‘yong P60 to P65 per kilo,” said De Mesa.

(They need to immediately discuss the stocks because in the future, we should no longer see such high prices, especially those at P60 to P65 per kilo.)

“We’ll give them enough time to negotiate with their suppliers but eventually, in two weeks' time, we will have another round of monitoring,” he added.

Velicaria-Guevarra, for her part, expressed appreciation for local government units (LGUs) for ensuring compliance with the new directive.

She said mayors in Metro Manila are actively monitoring prices in their public and private markets.

“Yon naman ang kanilang commitment at talagang nagpapasalamat kami at tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang suporta,” she added.

(That is their commitment and we are truly grateful for their continuous support.)