ILOILO – All try to meet halfway to ensure that no one is greatly affected by the national government-set rice price ceiling.
The dialogue, called by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. with rice retailers, traders, and representatives of importers in the province and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6, headed by director Dennis Arpia and personnel from the National Food Authority (NFA) yesterday afternoon, has been fruitful.
Defensor said the provincial government wants a balanced implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 39, where consumers can avail affordable rice and rice retailers can still gain income.
“Makakita kita sang balance kag accessible nga bugas sa presyo nga masarangan sang aton pumoluyo, pero masustiner man naton kag wala kita sang sektor nga maigu kag matam-an,” Defensor told Panay News.
He also assured that the price ceiling is a temporary measure, especially since Iloilo is rice-sufficient.
A representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 was also present during the dialogue to provide an update on possible assistance to rice retailers.
“Ginpangayo naton ang ila [retailers] nga kooperasyon kay ang aton ginatan-aw kag amo man ina ang ginatan-aw sang aton national government kag sang President nga kon matigayon na ini kag kon ang harvest season makapagaling na kita, malain na ang sitwasyon in a matter of days; this [situation] is dynamic,” the governor said.
The provincial government continues to monitor the compliance of rice retailers and palay stocks through the Local Price Coordinating Council, which, even before the presidential order, functioned as a monitoring entity for basic commodities, among others.
DA profiles rice retailers for possible aid
Arpia confirmed that the DA-6 has begun its profiling of rice retailers in the region, data from which will be used by the DSWD for possible assistance.
“Sa aming panig, kami po ang mag-profile ng retailers, and kung ano po ang kanilang angkat, magkano ang binebenta para mayroong basehan ‘yong DSWD kapag lumabas ang kanilang guidelines (on the possible assistance),” Arpia told Panay News.
Arpia was also pleased to share that several rice retailers in the region have already committed to abide by the price ceiling.
“Nakita naman natin na kahit ‘yong mga retailers magsisikap talaga sila na sumunod doon sa EO No. 39,” he said.
The DA-6 director assured it will also look for mitigating measures to help rice retailers.
Although there is a penalty for non-compliance, Arpia said this will not be the focus of the agency, especially since rice retailers in the region, despite limited options, are receptive./PN
