DA-6 checks impact of PHP 50 rice cap

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas is assessing the impact of the government’s PHP 50-per-kilo ceiling on imported rice through market inspections and consultations with industry stakeholders.

The price cap was imposed under Executive Order No. 118, which set a nationwide ceiling of PHP 50 per kilogram on 5% broken imported rice for 30 days unless earlier lifted by the president upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council.

The policy aims to make rice more affordable for consumers while guarding against unjustified price increases and market abuse.

To check compliance and gather feedback from market players, representatives from the DA, National Food Authority, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Philippine National Police inspected La Paz Market and Jaro Small Market in Iloilo City on June 1.

DA-6 Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia said the agency is gathering information on retail prices, supply conditions, and market behavior to determine how the policy is affecting the rice trade and local producers.

“We are seeking information from [retailers] so we can closely monitor the situation because, while we are protecting consumers, we must also ensure that our farmers are not left at a disadvantage,” Arpia said in a statement.

The agency is also examining the rice value chain to determine whether inefficiencies in production, distribution, and marketing are contributing to price distortions in local markets.

Arpia said the government must balance consumer protection with the welfare of local farmers.

He noted that Western Visayas remains more than 100% sufficient in rice production, meaning the region can meet its rice requirements through local output.

Despite this, many farmers continue to face challenges as consumers prefer imported rice, while some millers find it easier and more profitable to trade imported rice than source palay from local producers.

“We do not want to reach a point where we become vulnerable to high prices of imported rice because there is no longer enough locally produced rice available after our farmers have been discouraged from continuing production,” Arpia added.

Arpia said stronger support for locally produced rice would help improve farmer incomes and strengthen the region’s agriculture sector.

The DA plans to hold further consultations with rice retailers to identify the rice varieties most preferred by buyers and better align production with consumer demand.

Agricultural officials said findings from the monitoring activities will help determine whether current pricing issues stem from supply chain inefficiencies or require stronger regulatory intervention.

The agency also urged consumers to support locally produced rice as part of broader efforts to strengthen Western Visayas’ agriculture sector and ensure long-term food security.

Under the Price Act, violators of government-imposed price ceilings may face criminal and administrative penalties, including imprisonment of one to 10 years and fines ranging from PHP 5,000 to PHP 1 million, according to the Philippine Information Agency.