ZAMBOANGA CITY – In a proactive move to ensure that the mandated price ceiling for rice is upheld, Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, along with personnel from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, conducted a monitoring operation at the city’s primary markets.
Key markets, such as Magay and Santa Cruz Public Market, were visited on the morning of September 6.
The purpose of this initiative is to verify if traders and retailers are abiding by the mandated price ceiling, which was set by Presidential Executive Order Number 39. According to the order, the price per kilogram of regular milled rice should not exceed P41.00, while well-milled rice, whether imported or locally produced, should not cost more than PHP 45.00.
The local government fully supports the implementation of Executive Order Number 39 by President Ferdinand Marcos Junior. The memorandum issued by City Administrator Franklin Gacal Junior on September 4 reinforced the commitment to enforcing the price ceiling in General Santos City.
GenSan ceiling
Authorities in General Santos City, led by Mayor Lorilie Pacquiao, have stepped up efforts to enforce the price ceiling on rice, as mandated by Presidential Executive Order Number 39. Marketplaces across the city were inspected during a recent visit by local officials.
The memorandum issued by City Administrator Franklin Gacal Junior, which was signed and implemented on September 4, emphasizes the importance of adhering to the price ceiling set by the executive order. The city administration fully supports President Ferdinand Marcos Junior’s directive and is committed to ensuring its strict implementation.
Davao region
Davao Region Authorities Monitor Rice Traders and Warehouses
Three major warehouses and rice traders in the Davao Region underwent thorough monitoring by a joint team from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, Region Eleven. The inspection aimed to determine if the traders and retailers were complying with the mandated price ceiling on rice.
The monitoring operation, which was part of the Special Inter-Agency Task Force on Price and Supply Monitoring and Enforcement, included representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Customs, PNP, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, NBI, and the Philippine Information Agency, Region Eleven.
The authorities emphasized that their current efforts are focused on monitoring rather than enforcement to provide rice retailers adequate time to adjust their stocks accordingly. The government is also concerned about the welfare of small business owners, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged by Executive Order Number 39.
Consumers are encouraged to report any violations to the police, regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, or local government units. Retailers who do not comply with the mandated price ceiling may face consequences, as the government is determined to crack down on any offenders and ensure fair pricing for consumers.
