DAPITAN CITY, Sep. 8 (PIA) – Shortly after the issuance of Presidential Executive Order No. 39, which established a cap on rice prices in the market, Dapitan City’s Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) convened at the City Mayor’s Conference Room, New Government Center, to discuss mediation strategies to assist local rice retailers with the transition.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presided over the meeting, with experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA). The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) stationed in Dapitan also attended. Representatives from the local Market and Economic Enterprise and a representative from the Dapitan Vegetable Association were present as well.
The council’s initial focus was to clarify that the price cap only applies to regular-milled rice, capped at Php. 41.00, and well-milled rice capped at Php. 45.00 per kilo. The NFA explained the technical differences between the two, simplifying it by stating that regular-milled rice tends to be slightly darker, while well-milled rice is lighter with less breakage. Premium and special rice, with a shiny exterior and minimal breakage, are not covered by the price cap.
Anticipating negative reactions, especially from small-time rice retailers, the council aimed to provide assistance during this transition period, given the short notice of the executive order.
The DA would offer logistical support for retailers interested in going to Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, to purchase rice. Meanwhile, the DTI would monitor prices in public and wet markets to ensure compliance with the order.
Enforcement details were pending, but profiling of rice retailers and inspection of their registration, business permit, purchase order, and official receipts were proposed. Retailers who purchased stocks at a higher price and faced significant losses due to the sudden price drop might receive financial assistance from the DTI to break even.
Discussions also included the possibility of waiving this month’s rent for retailers in public markets to alleviate some financial burden during the transition, pending discussion with the Dapitan LGU.
Towards the end of the meeting, a motion was raised and approved to include the City Social Welfare and Development Office in the LPCC. The council planned to meet with rice millers and retailers in the following week, along with the Local Government Unit of Dapitan City after the International Ironman 5150 Triathlon on September 10.
In the interim, the city committed to disseminating information about the executive order to ensure compliance before strict enforcement measures were implemented. (RVC/PJF/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)