BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry - Abra (DTI)  led   partners  in the  price monitoring of milled rice among retailers in Bangued on Tuesday(September 5)  to check  compliance with Executive Order No. 39 or the “Imposition of Mandated Price Ceiling on Rice” of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.

 Seven retailers were checked in the capital town to ensure that they are adhering to the P41.00 set price for regular milled and P45.00 price for  well-milled rice. Some  retailers  are   found  compliant while  others are still adjusting with the imposed rice prices.

The mandated rice price cap which took effect on Sept.  5, 2023  aims to combat hoarding, profiteering, smuggling, and cartel, according to the  National Economic and Development Authority.

One of the  issues noted  during the monitoring is the loss of the retailers from the supplies they have bought earlier at higher  prices.

 In an interview with  rice retailer  Rolly Valera from Zone 1 Bangued, he hopes to  receive  rice subsidy  to cushion the effects of the  EO in his  business.

“Para sa akin naman, okay lang naman para bumaba iyong puhonan namin pero ma-sacrifice talaga iyong mga binili namin ng 1,300 pesos per 25 kilos, pupuntang 1,125 pesos na lang, loss naming iyon,” he said. 

DTI-Abra OIC Provincial Director Marvin Arcangel  concurred  that retailers  suffer  losses in the early stage of implementation of the presidential directive, thus government  subsidy will be given to those who quality.

“Malaki talaga ang losses ng mga retailers natin dito sa Abra. Although may mga local supplies ng bigas, apektado pa rin sila that’s why there will be a subsidy for them,”  he said in an interview.

DTI-Abra Consumer Protection Division OIC Marc Rex Hall advised the rice retailers and suppliers to keep their proof of purchase for the stocks that they have now as  it will be one of the basis for  the computation of  subsidy.

The DTI and the monitoring team also started profiling rice retailers including  the volume of  stocks they have, the current prices of their supplies and for how many days will they sell the remaining stocks.

The monitoring team was  composed of  DTI, Department of the  Interior and Local Government, Dept.  of Agriculture, Philippine Information Agency  and the Philippine National Police.

The DTI will continue monitoring rice retailers in the different municipalities of the province with the help of partner agencies and the local government units. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)