Marcos weighing extension of P50 imported rice price cap —Palace

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to decide whether to extend the government’s P50-per-kilo price ceiling on imported rice, Malacañang said Wednesday.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) has recommended extending the price cap, but the proposal is still being reviewed by the President.

“According to the Department of Agriculture, the NPCC or National Price Coordinating Council has already recommended the extension of the price cap. Hanggang ngayon po ay inaaral pa po ito ng Pangulo para sa kanyang approval.” (Up to now, the President is still studying it for his approval.)

Castro said one of the factors being considered is the upcoming rice harvest season in September.

She added that the administration is also pursuing other measures to help stabilize food prices.

According to Castro, Marcos has directed the Department of Agriculture to ensure an adequate supply of fertilizer despite rising global prices.

“Ang sabi po ng Pangulo, hindi po dapat mawalan ng fertilizers ang ating mga magsasaka," she said. (The President said our farmers should not run out of fertilizers.)

The Palace also noted that the government continues to distribute fertilizer to farmers during the planting season to help reduce production costs.

Castro said the administration is likewise pushing for the construction of more post-harvest facilities and cold storage facilities to reduce food waste and help bring down food prices.

The P50-per-kilo maximum suggested retail price for imported rice was implemented by the Department of Agriculture on July 1 as part of the government’s efforts to make rice more affordable.—LDF, GMA News