BAGUIO CITY – The local market rice retailers' association here said Wednesday they are doing their best to cushion the effect of fuel price increases on their commodity while ensuring a buffer supply for city residents.

John Paul Peralta, spokesperson of the Baguio City market rice retailers' association, said they buy more stocks anticipating price increases to avoid immediately raising prices.

"Kami kapag medyo mababa kuha namin at may balita kami na tataas, kumukuha kami ng mas marami para hindi kami sumasabay sa pagtaas ng presyo ng gasoline, masisiguro din namin na may supply kami na ibebenta para sa mga taga-Baguio (If we get a good price and we hear that it will increase, we also purchase more so that we have stocks at old prices and we don't increase our prices as soon as gas prices increase. This will also ensure that we have supplies to sell to the residents of Baguio)," Peralta said in an interview.

He added that many retailers sell at break-even prices or with minimal profit instead of the usual markup.

Peralta described the government's P20 per kilo rice program as a big help to families, though limited to the vulnerable sector.

"Malaking bagay sa kababayan ang P20 na bigas (The P20 rice is a big deal for our fellow residents)," he said.

Peralta said personnel from the Department of Agriculture conduct daily price and quality checks at the market.

"They come in the morning, sometimes just them (DA) sometimes with the POSD (Public Order and Safety Division). They watch us to make sure that there is no overpricing," he added.

Since Feb. 28, rice prices for 25-kilogram bags have increased by P100 to P300, he said. Regular milled rice ranges from P46 to P52 per kilo; well-milled rice from P54 to P58 per kilo, and imported rice from P60 to P65 per kilo.

Most of the local rice sold in Baguio comes from Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, 1,912 jeepney drivers here received P5,000 fuel subsidy each from the city government on Wednesday, March 25.

In return, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that he requested them to adjust their trip schedules to enable them to transport passengers  who have complained about the lack of jeepneys, resulting in long lines at night.

Magalong asked various jeepney associations to schedule their trips at night to ensure the availability of public transportation.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Liza Bulayungan said a total of P9.8 million was released for the assistance from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the city government.

Recipients are required to present their driver’s license, certificate of residency from the barangay where they live, certification from their jeepney association, and interview from social workers.

Distributed is ongoing until Saturday, March 28.

Magalong directed concerned local government offices to continue to look for ways on how the city can provide assistance to sectors affected by the crisis.

He said it will take about three to six months for the global economy to recover after the conflict ends. “Therefore, any opportunities that can be used to reduce the effects of the crisis on people’s lives should be examined and utilized if possible.”