THREE government agencies led the launching of a campaign aimed at ensuring proper labeling of rice and checking compliance with the suggested retail price (SRP) of the staple.
Officials of the Northern Mindanao regional offices of the National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) went around Cogon Market Thursday, November 8, to ensure that all rice retailers follow the SRP set by the government.
Aside from setting the SRP, they also banned the use of brand names and replaced the labels with the four classifications of milled rice – regular milled, well milled, premium grade, and special rice.
These classifications will be used on all kinds of rice in the market, except for special rice that includes organic, Cordillera heirloom, and other indigenous varieties.
The SRPs for imported rice are: P39 per kilo for well-milled, and P40 per kilo for imported premium grade two.
For local rice, the SRPs are: P39 per kilo for regular-milled, P44 per kilo for well-milled, and P47 per kilo for premium grade rice.
Dianne Silva, NFA-10 regional director, said the launching was held earlier than scheduled so as to give time to the retailers to adjust their prices.
"Ang effect ani is mobaba gyud ang presyo sa bugas, kadaogan ni sa atong konsumante na naa silay chance makapalit ug bugas nga barato ug maayo nga quality (The effect of this program is the prices will decrease, and this is a win for the consumers because they now have the chance to buy affordable and quality rice)," Silva said.
Silva said a big percentage of rice retailers in Cogon have already adjusted their prices, but it was also observed that some did not open their stores during the launching.
Almer Masillones, DTI-Misamis Oriental provincial office officer-in-charge, said they will frequently monitor the retailers to ensure consistent compliance.
"We can issue letters of inquiry to the non-compliant retailer and then give them time to adjust their price. But if he or she still did not comply, we will issue a notice of violation and penalize the retailer," she said.
Masillones said the retailer may change the price of the rice but this should not exceed the SRP set by the government.
She said if changes will be made, the retailer will still have to submit a proposal to them and a consultation will be conducted first before deciding on it.
The prescribed labeling as well as the SRPs is now being implemented in the entire Metro Manila and cities within the Greater Manila Area. Other regions will follow this scheme after All Souls’ Day. The SRPs on rice will be reviewed and updated regularly.