State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
September 12, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with key government agencies regarding updates on the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 39, s. 2023 or the ‘Imposition of Mandated Price Ceilings on Rice’ at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace on September 12, 2023.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as lead agencies in monitoring the strict implementation of EO 39 and investigating the abnormal price movements thereof, give a summary of rice monitoring following the EO issuance.

The DA notes a significant increase in the compliance rate of the mandated price ceiling since its implementation. Nonetheless, the Department alongside the DTI, shall issue verbal warnings and notice of non-compliance from its monitoring authorities to those who have yet to enforce the price cap.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reports on its livelihood grants being undertaken in close coordination with the DTI. During Phase 1 of its cash assistance, the Department was able to provide for 474 affected rice retailers amounting to around PhP7,530,00 (as of September 11). To date, its payout schedule is still ongoing across different regions in the country.

Likewise, the National Food Authority (NFA) shares its measures in ensuring sufficient supply of rice to retailers, as well as providing direct access between farmers and retailers to stabilize the rice prices even after EO 39 is lifted.

Other than the DA and DTI, various national government offices are also directed to ensure the immediate and effective implementation of EO 39, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

During the meeting, the DILG briefly talks about the local government units’ (LGU) support to affected rice retailers. Meanwhile, the BOC discusses its most recent assessment and recommendation on the inspection of rice warehouses all over the country.

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