CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--To discuss the implementation of Executive Order No. 39, or the order imposing mandated price ceilings on rice to alleviate the financial burden on consumers, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10, in partnership with the Bantay Presyo Task Force, held a press conference, September 14, here.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota Madriaga reassured the public that there will be an adequate rice supply in the region throughout the 60-day implementation period of EO 39.

She disclosed that the total rice supply for September, comprising locally produced and imported rice, amounted to 190,192 metric tons, while the total demand for the region's population stood at 61,105 metric tons. This surplus means that there is an ending stock of approximately 129,000 metric tons, enough to last for 88 days.

Also, in compliance with EO 39, Madriaga emphasized that rice retailers failing to adhere to the order will receive a notice of non-compliance. This information is critical, as those retailers not complying with the EO will not be eligible for assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10.

DTI-10 reported that they have already started the payouts on September 13, 2023, to assist rice retailers who have fully complied with EO 39.

"Sa atoang padayon nga assistance together with DSWD, naa ta’y financial assistance nga ihatag sa atoang mga affected micro retailers, mao nang dili pud sila angay nga mabalaka kay gacontinue ta og work on ani [With our continued assistance together with DSWD, we have financial assistance to give to our affected micro retailers, so they should not worry because we will continue to work on this]," DTI-10 Information Officer Julie Nieva said.

She said as much as possible, they speed up the creation and submission of the list, verification, and actual monitoring in the market. She stressed that DTI-10 will not only ask for a list; they will actually go to the area to check and verify if the law is being followed.

"Para usab sure ta nga inig hatag ato sa financial assistance with DSWD, nag-comply gyud sila sa balaod [so we can be assured that when we give the financial assistance with the DSWD, they have really complied with the law]," Nieva said.

She also added that daily monitoring through provincial offices, in collaboration with local price coordinating councils, ensures the continuous enforcement of EO 39. While the order is seen as a temporary measure to address rising rice prices, it will be lifted once market conditions stabilize.

For his part, Lawyer Edgardo Uy, co-chair of the City Price Coordinating Council, expressed the importance of supporting consumers without sacrificing the business sector. He emphasized the value of the assistance provided to small rice retailers affected by EO 39.

City Councilor George Goking shared that, in an effort to provide affordable rice to the residents of Cagayan de Oro, the city will no longer file a resolution to conduct the "Diskwento Caravan" in the city's remote areas. They will make sure that the caravan is held in strategic areas of the city.

For their part, the National Food Authority (NFA)-10 has extended technical support to classify rice in coordination with local price coordinating councils (LPCCs) in the region. The Philippine National Police (PNP)-10 has also contributed to this effort by conducting 24 activities to help agencies raise awareness and monitor compliance with EO 39.

This collaborative effort among government agencies aims to ease the financial burden on consumers and ensure a stable rice supply. (RTP/PIA-10)