The Department of Agriculture (DA) has started the implementation of the P50 per kilo price cap on imported premium rice with 5% broken grains nationwide as part of the government’s effort to keep rice prices affordable for consumers.

The market inspection was led by DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra and DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service Director Junibert E. De Sagun to ensure the proper enforcement of the price cap in public markets.

The monitoring activity was conducted on May 19 at San Nicolas Public Market together with representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the City Agriculture Office.

Among those present were DTI Acting Division Chief Patrick Mendoza, DA RFO III Agribusiness, Marketing, and Assistance Division Chief Carmencita S. Nogoy, PNP Deputy Chief of Police Benjamin S. Laboreta, San Nicolas Public Market Deputy Administrator Reynaldo Pineda Sr., and City Agriculture Office staff member Almano Q. Dalusong.

According to the DA, the price cap will remain effective for 30 days and may be extended, modified, or lifted depending on the outcome of ongoing assessments and monitoring by concerned government agencies.

The implementation is being carried out in coordination with several government agencies, including the DTI, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Customs, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), and the PNP to help ensure stable rice supply and fair market prices.

The coordinated government initiative aims to protect consumers from the continuing increase in the prices of basic commodities, particularly rice, while maintaining market stability and supply availability.