Malacañang said President Marcos supports the proposed P50 price cap for imported rice as part of efforts to keep food prices stable.

In her press briefing on Monday, March 23, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposal, put forward by the Department of Agriculture (DA), has already been endorsed for further deliberation.

“Ang kanilang price cap na isinangguni ay P50 for imported rice… ito naman ay sinusuportahan (The proposed price cap is P50 for imported rice… and this is supported),” she said.

Castro said the proposed price cap will still undergo deliberation before any final decision is made.

She noted that the National Price Coordinating Council will assess the recommendation as part of the government’s broader response to rising prices.

President Marcos earlier said the government is studying the possible imposition of a price cap on rice.

“Abangan po natin ito (Let’s look out for that),” Marcos said in his vlog on March 22.

He added that the P20 rice program, currently implemented in 177 local government units, may be expanded further.

Marcos also assured the public that food prices remain stable based on recent monitoring.

“Sa awa naman ng Diyos, stable pa [ang mga presyo] at wala namang masyadong pag-abuso (By God’s grace, prices remain stable and there is no significant abuse),” he said.