The prices of rice continue to go down in Mangaldan, Pangasinan. Retailers at the Mangaldan Public Market have lowered prices by P50 to P75 per 25-kilo sack, which is around P2 to P3 less per kilo.

Meanwhile, a kilo is being sold between P30 to P50.

“Ang abiso sa amin, bababa pa talaga ang presyo. At saka maganda kasi controlled ang presyo,” Larry Bautista, a rice vendor, said.

Retailers said they are receiving steady rice supplies from Pangasinan, as well as from Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. However, they’re avoiding overstocking in case prices drop even further.

“Mahirap kasi kapag mas mababa ang presyo noong dumating na bago. Malulugi kami, mahirap nang abutin ulit ‘yun,” Bautista added.

Consumers, on the other hand, are happy. Some are now able to buy a kilo of commercial rice for as low as P30.

“Mas gusto ko ‘yun na mababa para marami kami mabili,” Leo Lambino, a shopper, said.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), rice supply in the country remains stable. The group also credited the P20 per kilo rice in some areas as helping to keep prices down.

“So far, ang farmgate ay nasa P19 ang deliver sa miller. Ang presyo ng retail na regular-milled ay P37 to P38, ang well-milled ay nasa P38 to P40,” SINAG Chairman Engr. Rosendo So said.