President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday assured the public that the government would strictly implement the price ceiling on rice, which was set at P41 per kilogram for regular-milled rice and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice.
In a media interview in Palawan, Marcos said that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Justice (DOJ) will be the lead agencies in monitoring the implementation of the price ceiling.
"We have put together a structure for the continuing monitoring," Marcos said. "These agencies already have regular inspections when it comes to other issues, so they will now apply the price ceilings that I have ordered in the EO that I signed yesterday."
For context, the Chief Executive, through Executive Order No. 39, has imposed price limits on rice across the country in response to what Malacañang has described as an "alarming" increase in the retail price of the national staple, exceeding P60 per kilogram.
Marcos said that the government will focus its efforts on Metro Manila, where the problem of rising rice prices is most acute. However, he urged the public to report any retailers who are selling rice above the price ceiling to the police, the DA, the DTI, or their local government.
"If you find someone selling rice above the price ceiling, please report it," Marcos said. "We need your help to ensure that everyone has access to affordable rice."
The price ceiling on rice was set in response to the recent surge in rice prices. As of 28 August, the average price of regular milled rice in Metro Manila was P42 per kilogram, while the average price of well-milled rice was P48 per kilogram.
The price ceiling is expected to help ease the burden of rising rice prices on consumers, especially the poor and vulnerable. However, it remains to be seen how effective the price ceiling will be in preventing retailers from selling rice above the set price.