DILG to Cordi LGUs: Impose rice price rate

BAGUIO CITY --The Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera urged local government units in the region to monitor and provide assistance to the Departments of Trade and Industry and Agriculture (DA) in enforcing directives relative to imposition of price ceilings on rice.
    President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Sept 1.executive order 39 imposition of mandated price ceilings on rice upon recommendation of the DA, and DTI and for DILG to ensure its strict implementation.
    DILG Cordillera regional director Araceli San Jose said the DA and DTI recommended imposition of mandated price ceilings on rice nationwide following reports of widespread practice of alleged illegal price manipulation.
    "We are urging all LGUs in the Cordillera to assist the DTI and DA in ensuring strict implementation of the mandated price ceilings on rice in the market, including monitoring and investigation of abnormal price movements to protect the rights, interests, and general welfare of consumers," she said.
    She said that LGUs are tasked to establish Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCC) whose powers and functions are to regulate price of goods, especially those considered basic necessities and prime commodities.
    "All LPCCs are urged to be in charge of coordination and rationalize programs, together with other agencies of the government, in the respective provinces, cities, and municipalities to stabilize the price and supply of rice in their areas," RD San Jose said.
    She said that LPCC should also conduct an in-depth analysis on the causes of price fluctuations in their respective territorial jurisdictions and prescribe measures to prevent excessive price increases.
    San Jose urged local chief executives (LCEs) to conduct regular inspections of public and private markets, as well as rice warehouses in their jurisdiction, if there are any, to address hoarding and exorbitant, excessive, and unreasonable price increase of rice.
    "We also urge our LCEs to activate hotlines, Consumer Complaints Desk and Timbangan ng Bayan and designate barangay officials and NGOs to monitor abnormal price increases and to actively coordinate with the DTI, DA, and other government agencies to prevent unwarranted price increases and hoarding of rice and other prime commodities," said San Jose.
    She urged LGUs to extend assistance to the DA in their exercise of their regulatory and visitorial powers, in inspection of cold storage warehouses (CSWs), and in  execution of search warrants issued against them that are determined to have violated the provisions of Republic Act 10845 or “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016”, RA 7581 or "Price Act," and other related laws.
    "The Philippine National Police (PNP) should extend all necessary assistance to the LGUs in the implementation of the price ceiling on rice," she added.
    The mandated cap for regular milled rice is P41 per kilogram, while the price ceiling for well-milled rice is P45 per kilogram.     The price caps do not cover special and premium rice.
    San Jose told LGU officials to comply. -- BLM/DILG-CAR