THE National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Occidental said the just-implemented suggested retail prices (SRPs) for rice are "flexible" thus, adjustments can be made depending on prevailing factors.

Frisco Canoy, provincial manager of NFA-Negros Occidental, said that a monthly basis evaluation might be conducted given that SRPs are not fixed.

Canoy said the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who is also the chairman of the NFA Council, may eventually issue new SRPs for rice.

"It is flexible, thus, it may change depending on the prevailing situation in the market," he said, citing movements of supply and demand as possible factors that may result to price adjustments of the commodity.

SRPs for milled rice were implemented in the country including Negros Occidental starting November 11, which was 15 days after the guidelines were published on October 26.

Based on the general guidelines stated on the Memorandum Circular issued by Piñol on October 24, the SRPs set for local rice range from P39 to P47 per kilogram depending on classification.

Regular milled rice costs P39 per kilogram while well-milled and premium rice cost P44 to P47 per kilogram, respectively.

For imported rice, on the other hand, the SRP for well-milled is P39 per kilogram, while those for premium grade one and two are P43 and P40 per kilogram, respectively.

Under the guidelines, special rice such as glutinous, aromatic, pigmented, japonica, and micronutrient-dense rice are not covered by the SRPs.

Also included in the circular are the prescribed standard specifications on the labeling of rice boxes and price tags.

It stated that the classification of rice should only be regular milled, well-milled, premium grade and special rice.

The classification in rice boxes shall be printed in black bold letters with white background.

In terms of price tags, the prescribed information shall be the price per kilogram, it added.

Two days prior to the effectivity of the guidelines, NFA-Negros Occidental briefed some local retailers on SRPs as well as price tags and labeling.

Canoy said they expect that the program will help the buying public, mainly through protection of their rights and welfare, since no more expensive rice is sold in the market.

“SRPs will ensure that prices of the major staple food in the country will not exceed or reached the level where consumers are greatly hurt,” he added.

NFA-Negros Occidental earlier assured that strict monitoring is being conducted to ensure compliance of the guidelines.

It has been coordinating with other regulatory agencies mainly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in monitoring the implementation of the measure. (EPN)