Inspectors find nearly 45% of rice vendors compliant with P50 cap on imported grain

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that its nationwide inspection of rice vendors found 44.8% to be compliant with the P50 per kilo price cap on imported grain.

In a briefing, DA Spokesman and Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance Arnel V. De Mesa said 822 of 1,004 vendors visited sold imported rice, with the cheapest price found in Central Luzon at P42 per kilo and the most expensive in the Cordillera Administrative Region at P70.

Mr. De Mesa also said that markets in Northern Mindanao had the highest compliance rate of 91.67% with prices ranging from P44.80 per kilo and the most expensive price of P58.

In Metro Manila, 70.14% of markets complied, with prices ranging between P46 per kilo and P60.

Vendors the DA attempted to inspect in Mimaropa, Bicol Region, the Western Visayas, the Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga were either closed or did not sell imported rice.

Mr. De Mesa said the DA issued 36 violation notices during the market visits, with Ilocos Region vendors drawing 19 notices and those in Metro Manila logging eight.

He said violators found to be engaged in profiteering could be sanctioned according to the provisions of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Price Act, which prescribe penalties that include imprisonment and fines of up to P1 million.

“We have an executive order as legal basis for why they need to follow the P50 price cap and so far, based on their prices, we can really see that we can sell imported rice at P50 at the moment,” Mr. De Mesa told reporters.

The price cap will be effective until June 13 before a DA review to determine a potential extension. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza