BACOLOD City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have yet to finalize penalties for rice retailers failing to adhere to the government-imposed price ceiling.
Lynna Cardinal, DTI-Negros Occidental officer-in-charge, said they are gathering explanations from rice retailers as to why they are not complying with the rice price ceiling – P41 maximum for regular milled rice and P45 maximum for well-milled rice.
The feedback from retailers will be included in their report to aid the government find a more effective solution.
Cardinal also said they are waiting for the implementing rules and regulations of the presidential order.
The DTI will monitor rice prices in supermarkets and grocery stores, while the DA will focus on public markets.
Meanwhile, local rice retailer “Jose” said in a radio interview over 96.7 XFM Bacolod that he does not favor the current price cap on rice.
According to Jose, it is a burden for them to comply with the price cap due to the large capital they have already released.
He said his capital is over P100,000 and is selling more than 20 sacks of local and imported rice.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Negros Occidental also monitors compliance among rice dealers in the province.
Dr. Dina Gensola, officer-in-charge of the OPA, said their Agri-business Section is helping the DTI and DA and will also submit their documentation to the DA regional office.
However, Gensola admitted that OPA does not have police powers to impose penalties on those violating the rice price ceiling. (Watchmen Daily Journal)