Rice prices finally capped

PAGADIAN CITY - Following the skyrocketing prices of rice, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39 setting the price ceilings on rice in the whole country.

Under the EO 39, the price for regular milled rice in the market nationwide is P41.00 while the price cap for well-milled rice is P45.00. 

Marcos also instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to utilize their sustainable livelihood program to assist rice traders and retailers under the “capital build-up” mandate of the program.

This was confirmed by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who said that qualified small rice retailers affected by the mandated price ceilings are expected to receive financial assistance from the government.

“Napag-usapan namin ng Pangulo kaninang umaga na gagamitin ulit ‘yung sustainable livelihood program ng DSWD para naman magtulungan ‘yung ating mga maliliit na mga retailers na naapektuhan nitong pansamantala na Executive Order o ‘yung price cap sa bigas,” Gatchalian said, adding only small rice traders and retailers, or the vulnerable groups will receive the government’s aid.

The sustainable livelihood program of the DSWD has three important mandates such as the start-up capital, which is intended for those who wish to start a small business; the capital build for cases similar to the effects of the EO 39 to small businessmen; and the employment grants.

“So ang gagamitin natin dito ‘yung capital build-up kasi alam naman natin maapektuhan ang kapital ng mga maliliit nating mga rice retailers kaya kailangang pumasok ang DSWD sa utos ng ating Pangulo para masigurado natin na ‘yung kapital nila hindi mauubos o hindi makain kaagad itong nangyayaring Executive Order,” Gatchalian said.

Marcos said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be coming up with a list of the affected rice traders and rice retailers who will receive the government’s assistance.

Gatchalian said they will immediately provide the necessary assistance once they receive the verified list from the DTI and the DA. He emphasized that they are ready to start the payout nationwide.

“Ready ‘yung mekanismo ng DSWD para sa payout. Hinihintay na lang natin ‘yung listahan mula sa concerned agencies. Pero kanina nga sabi ng Pangulo doon sa aming tatlo na mga ahensiya na involved, bilisan ang pagkilos,” Gatchalian said, referring to the DA and DTI.

He said they do not expect the financial assistance “to be very long” since the implementation of the mandated rice price ceilings is only temporary, or a “stopgap measure” to lower the prices of the staple food. (Mindanao Examiner)