MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured on Monday the government will extend assistance to rice traders and retailers who will be affected by the implementation of Executive Order No. 39, which sets rice price caps.

“Naunawaan na namin at nakita kaagad na mayroong mga retailer na maiipit dahil sila ay bumili ng mahal na bigas, ngayon ay mapipilitan sila maipabili ‘yung mahal na bigas sa murang halaga,” President Marcos said in his departure speech before leaving for Indonesia.

The chief executive will visit Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the invitation of the Chair of ASEAN this year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala mga rice retailer. Nauunawaan po namin kaagad na maaabala kayo dahil iisipin nga ninyo na may malulugi. Nandiyan ang gobyerno ninyo upang magbigay ng tulong para sa inyong lahat para naman bawi ang lugi ninyo na nangyari dahil sa price cap,” he added.

The President said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are already listing the names of rice traders and retailers who will be affected by the implementation of the rice price ceilings.

President Marcos added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also preparing the necessary assistance to affected rice traders and retailers.

“Kaya’t huwag sana kayong mag-alala. Alam po namin na ito’y mga bago na sistema na ating ginagawa. Ngunit kagaya ng aking nasabi ay napipilitan tayo dahil sa mga pwersa na kung minsan ay ayaw tumulong sa ating mga kababayan,” President Marcos said.

“Ngunit gagawin natin ito upang matiyak naman ang taong-bayan na hindi napakalaki ang kanilang ginagastos para naman sa kanilang pagkain para sa bigas,” he added.

Before his departure for Indonesia, President Marcos met with the DTI, DA, DSWD, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in Malacañan Palace and discussed agencies’ proposals to assist retailers affected by the price ceiling on rice.

“Mas maganda na sobra kesa kulang. We’re not here to make money,” President Marcos said, referring to the government’s assistance to rice traders and retailers who will be affected by the implementation of the EO 39.

As part of the government’s assistance, the DSWD will give financial aid to retailers.

DTI, on the other hand, will implement financial assistance, loan programs, logistics support and market linkages to retailers in wet markets and neighborhood sundry stores or sari-sari stores.

Other initiatives include linking local farmers with supermarket chains and other retailers, finding alternative markets, and promoting bulk buying or advance purchases as well as providing transport for rice stock purchased at the level of the price ceiling or above to Diskwento Caravan sites and selling directly to consumers.

The DA will also have an inventory and supply management of rice among major rice producers; and also intensify the Bantay Presyo Task Force that will enforce rice prices.

For its part, PRISM has committed to sell rice at PhP38 per kilogram and also promised to provide continued support to farm consolidation and enhancement of the value chain to boost production.

In his departure speech, President Marcos emphasized the government will continue to monitor the situation in the Philippines as far as the prices of rice are concerned while at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Indonesia.

President Marcos stood firm that the government needed to intervene to address the surge of prices of rice in the market as he emphasized that the illegal activities of rice hoarders, cartels, and smugglers are already affecting the economy and the Filipino people.

“Ngayon, sa pag-aaral namin ang dahilan lamang dito ay talagang nandiyan ang mga smuggler at saka ang mga hoarder. Ako po sa aking pag-iisip ang aking pag-approach pagka dumating sa ekonomiya ay nais kong – hangga’t maari ayaw kong pakialaman ang mercado at pabayaan natin, let the market do its work,” Marcos said.

“Ngunit ay pinapakialaman na ang mercado natin. Kaya’t kailangang pumasok ang pamahalaan at ito nga ang aming ginagawa ay tayo ay naglagay ng price ceiling para sa presyo ng bigas. At pangalawa, kailangan ko pong – kaya patuloy po ang ating magiging kampanya sa paghuli ng mga smuggler, sa paghuhuli sa mga hoarder. Tuloy-tuloy ‘yan,” he added.

The chief executive assured the Filipino people that the rice price caps would only be temporary especially with the coming harvesting season.

“Kaya’t pagdating ng panahon – papasok pa mayroon tayong mga in-import na bigas – sabay-sabay na papasok ‘yan at makikita basta’t ilalagay namin, dadalhin natin sa palengke, pabayaan ulit natin ang presyo ng bigas na maghanap ng sarili niyang presyo,” the President said.

Last August 31, the President issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39, s. 2023, which mandated price ceilings for regular and well-milled rice.

Under the EO, the DTI and DA, in coordination with other government agencies, shall ensure the strict implementation of the EO and provide assistance to retailers affected by the price ceiling.

The DTI, DA, DILG, and DSWD are requesting approval and issuance of a directive from the President to provide funds and implement initiatives to assist the retailers affected by EO No. 39. (PND)