IN LINE with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to allow unimpeded rice importations to tame inflation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has opened the applications for direct importation of rice.
In a statement sent to Sun.Star Pampanga, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency is now ready to accept rice retailers or importers who want to have direct access to importation.
Lopez said that application for the program dubbed as “Presyong Risonable Dapat!” is open to rice retailers who can guarantee that selling price of rice will not exceed P38 per kilo and sugar, P50 per kilo.
The DTI will be guided by "first come, first served" policy and each applicant will only be allowed to import a maximum of 20,000 metric tons to allow more retailers to participate in the program.
To apply, retailers must submit a letter of intent addressed to Lopez indicating the desired volume in metric tons, the retailer’s outlet and list of branches, a duly accomplished application form, a notarized undertaking form, and payment of appropriate tariff and other necessary fees.
“This importation scheme is also being implemented by the government to mitigate the effects of inflation on food prices,” said Lopez.
Lopez stressed that submission of monthly inventory and sales report, and other such necessary reports will also be required to ensure compliance with the undertaking and the conditions set in the application.
Interested applicants may submit the required documents to the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau through their e-mail at cpab_pmu@dti.gov.ph. Deadline of submission of requirements will be on October 30,2018, said Lopez.