Among the alleged reasons for the rising price of rice despite its steady supply is practice of illegal rice manipulation such as hoarding and collusion among industry cartels.

Warehouses of the three among the six accredited rice importers in Davao have been inspected for monitoring by the special task force. These importers were identified as major distributors of imported and local rice in Davao Region, as well as to its neighboring areas.

Kendrick Ng of J Agro Traders stressed that there is no hoarding in their warehouses stating that they have larger volume last year than this year.

“Pagstart sa month of July, pag declare sa India na export ban sila, automatic 100, 200 pesos per day ang gisaka until nag stable na lang siya didto (At the start of the month of July, when India declares

“Masking dili namo sala sir na nakapalit mi ug mahal kasi naga buy lang pud mi sa kung unsa lay gina offer sa amoa na price (Even if it is not our fault, we bought it in a higher price because we are just buying for the price offered to us),” he added.

According to SITF-PSME team, they will also monitor wet markets in the city to ensure compliance with the implementation of the mandated price ceiling of rice. 

Republic Act 7581, otherwise known as Price Act of the Philippines, sets the penalty for violators of the mandated ceiling price.

Accordingly,  an imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years and a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1 million can be meted upon from violators of the mandated