Some NCR stalls still selling imported rice beyond P58 SRP

Some rice vendors in the National Capital Region (NCR) are still selling imported rice higher than the set maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58 per kilo by the Department of Agriculture that took effect on Monday.

According to Bernadette Reyes' report in "24 Oras" on Tuesday, officials from DA and the Department of Trade and Industry found stores selling imported rice for P60 per kilo.

But retailers explained that they will gradually implement the new MSRP.

“Inuunti-unti na po namin. Pero nagsimula na kami ngayon na ibaba. Yung mga nasa P60, yung iba nasa P58 na siya,” said Wilson Santiago, rice retailer.

(We are gradually implementing this. But we have already started to lower the prices. While there are stocks being sold for P60 per kilo, there are also being sold for P58 per kilo.)

“Once pag naubos na po stocks namin, wala po problema susunod tayo,” said Aida Dela Cruz, a rice vendor.

(Once we run out of our current stocks, there will no longer be problems next time.)

The DA, on the other hand, said there are retailers who charges high prices.

“Kailangan na nila mag re-negotiate sa kanilang mga supplier dahil meron nang MSRP ngayon. Ire-review ito in two weeks, dapat immediately mapag-usapan nila ang stocks at sa susunod hindi na talaga pwede na may makita kami ganitong mataas lalo 'yon P60 hanggang P65, hindi sya acceptable talaga,” said Agriculture Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa.

(They need to renegotiate with their suppliers because we already imposed an MSRP. We will review this in two weeks, but they should be able to work on their stocks because we will no longer allow selling of P60 to P65 per kilo of imported rice, this is just not acceptable.)

The DA also said that it will not penalize yet those who have yet to follow the prescribed MSRP.

“Maglalabas tayo ng guidelines. ‘Pag tayo ay naglabas ng guidelines at tayo po ay naglagay ng period for compliance, after po nun eh talagang magiging strict po tayo,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra.

(We will soon issue the guidelines. Once we issue the guidelines and we set a period for compliance, we will be strict in implementing that.)

Moreover, the DA has also monitored the price of pork which has reached P450 per kilo.

“Sobrang taas po ng baboy ngayon, dumadaing na kami sa farm at dealer po,” said Joan Pagadu, meat vendor.

(The price of pork is so high now and we are already complaining to the farm and dealer.)

According to the DA, the per kilo price of kasim currently ranges between P320 to P390, while liempo costs between P360 and P450.

“Ang pagtaas is dahil noong third quarter sumipa kaso ng ASF at fourth quarter maraming demand,” said De Mesa.

(The price hike was due to the spike in ASF cases last third quarter and there was high demand during the fourth quarter.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News