PRICE MONITORING. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (left) visits the Burgos (North) Public Market on Wednesday to check the compliance of rice retailers with Executive Order (EO) 39 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., mandating the price cap for regular milled rice at PHP41 per kilo and for well-milled rice at PHP45 per kilo. On Thursday (Sept. 7), the mayor said PHP45 per kilo of rice is already available in the city’s two major public markets. (Photo courtesy of Albee Benitez Facebook page)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, on Thursday said several retailers here have started selling rice at PHP45 per kilo in compliance with the price ceiling mandated in Executive Order (EO) 39 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“While we are waiting for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), we went around the markets yesterday (Wednesday). Right now, PHP45 per kilo of rice is already available in Burgos and Libertad Markets,” he said in a statement.
EO 39, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Aug. 31, mandates the price cap for regular milled rice at PHP41 per kilo and for well-milled rice at PHP45 per kilo.
City Administrator Pacifico Maghari said he has sent letters to the DTI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) requesting the IRR and alignment of implementation.
“We’re waiting for it before we conduct a coordination meeting to discuss specific procedures. In the meantime, we have preliminary monitoring in public markets,” he said on Thursday.
City Legal Officer Ting said based on EO 39, the city government has a basis to inspect and compel rice retailers to comply with the directive.
“It’s from the national government; we have to enforce the law,” he added.
On Wednesday, supervisors of the city’s three major public markets held briefings among rice retailers on the EO 39.
EO 39 is considered as the strongest weapon to date of the Marcos administration to protect consumers against hoarders, rice cartels, and illegal price manipulators.
The directive mandates a coordinated effort among various agencies to ensure the strict implementation of the mandated price ceilings, intensify the fight against hoarding and illegal importation of rice, and take measures against cartels to ensure fair market competition and uphold consumer welfare and protection.
Under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, violators can be penalized as provided in Sections 15 and 16.
Penalties include imprisonment of up to 10 years and substantial fines ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP1 million. (PNA)
