(File Photo) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte guaranteed that the local government will provide assistance to small-scale rice retailers who maybe affected by the imposition of mandated price cap on rice. 

Belmonte said the city government will provide discounts or entirely waive the rental fees in market stalls so that rice retailers will remain operational despite the challenges brought about by the rice price ceiling to both the vendors and consumers. 

“Nabalitaan natin na may ibang market stalls at tindahan na pansamantalang nagsara dahil hindi kinaya ang price cap sa bigas. Kaya naman gagawa tayo ng paraan na sila ay matulungan dahil kapag sila naman ang tumigil, apektado pati ang pamilya ng kanilang mga manggagawa na halos lahat naman ay taga-QC (It came to our attention that some of the market stalls were temporarily closed because they cannot keep pace with the price cap on rice. That is why we will find ways on how to help them because the closure of their business also means that their families, which are mostly residing here in QC, will also be affected ),” said Belmonte. 

The local chief executive also stressed that the city government is not keen on penalizing the retailers who will not comply with the mandated price ceiling, instead, it will be open to accommodate and address the concerns of rice business owners regarding the implementation. 

“Hindi natin isinusulong ang pagpataw ng parusa sa mga rice retailers. Alam naman natin ang kalagayan nila, hindi naman sila masasamang tao. Ang ating layunin, makipagdayalogo sa kanila para makahanap tayo ng win-win solution para sa mga nagtitinda at sa mga mamimili (We are not after penalizing the rice retailers. We know their situation, they are not bad people. Our goal is to keep an open dialogue between them in order for us to develop win-win solutions for both the vendors and the consumers),” Belmonte stressed. 

The QC Price Coordinating Council (QCPCC) is mainly tasked to monitor the strict compliance of all markets in the city while the Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) as well as the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) will jointly work together to disseminate the salient provisions of Executive Order No. 39. 

The QCPCC will also closely coordinate with the affected establishments to immediately submit a comprehensive report to concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

“This will include any attempts by individuals or establishments to exploit the situation to the detriment of our constituents, consumers, and small retailers already facing economic challenges due to soaring commodity prices,” said BPLD and MDAD Officer-in-Charge Ma. Margarita Santos. 

The mandated price ceiling on rice officially took effect on September 5. 

On Monday, the first day of EO 39 implementation, Trade & Industry Secretary Fred Pascual, SILG Benhur Abalos, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and MMC Chair and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora  conducted a pilot market inspection to ensure that the P41.00 price cap on regular milled rice and the P45.00 price ceiling on well-milled rice are in place. (QC PAISD/PIA-NCR)