Unregulated pricing of rice DA, DTI, NFA CONSIDER TO IMPOSE ‘SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE’ FOR RICE

By Rey Pelayo

UNTV News & Rescue

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Wednesday inspected accredited service outlets of the National Food Authority’s “Tulong sa Bayan Bigas” where low-priced well-milled rice are being sold.

Piñol and Lopez were joined by NFA Administrator Jason Aquino at Cartimar Market in Pasay City to check on the service outlets.

Lopez said it is still the choice of consumers to buy the government rice though they can avail of good quality rice at P42 to P62 pesos per kilogram.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are considering the imposition of suggested retail prices (SRPs) on rice to guide the consumers and prevent overpricing.

For their part, retailers said that although they do not get any profit from the “Tulong sa Bayan Bigas,” they fully understand the purpose of the said government project. — Rey Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue

(Photo shows NFA Administrator Jason Aquino (second from the left) joins Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (second from the right) and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right most) during inspection of NFA service outlets. UNTV News & Rescue)