The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM), an association of rice traders, has expressed its readiness to continue working with the government to provide the consumers with affordable and quality rice, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 39 putting a cap on rice prices.
“Sa kabila po nito ay patuloy pa rin po kaming nakikiusap, at nakikipag-usap rather, at in partnership with the President and the government, together with the DA, at ang ating pamahalaan. Ang gusto po natin ay magkaroon ng maayos na bigas sa ating pamilihan, na mabigyan po natin ng tamang presyo, na kung ano po ‘yung hinihiling sa atin,” PRISM lead convenor Rowena Sadicon said.
“Maaari pong hindi maintindihan ng lahat sa simula pero eventually po sa sama-samang pagtutulong ng ating mga kasamahan sa industriya ng bigas ay mapapagtagumpayan din po lahat ito at maihahain po natin sa ating mga consumers ang ating murang bigas, na ito po ang layunin ng ating Pangulo.”
While some industry stakeholders are not receptive of the EO at first, Sadicon said they know that it is the President’s prerogative to issue such directive, as she hopes PRISM members will understand the position of the chief executive.
“Ito po ay sana po masundan po ng ating mga stakeholders at maintindihan din nila. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong ito na pinakinggan n’yo rin kami at mapakinggan din po namin kung ano ang dahilan ng ating Presidente sa pagbigay ng executive order na ito. At andito po ang PRISM na patuloy na tutulong sa inyo,” she said.
The PRISM lead convenor also said she hopes for the normalcy in the coming days particularly with the start of the palay harvest season, which will stabilize rice prices in the country.
President Marcos approved the recommendation to impose mandated price ceilings on rice in the whole country on Thursday to ensure reasonably priced and conveniently accessible staple food to Filipinos amid the alarming increase in its retail prices in the market.
EO 39 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 31, stated that President Marcos approved the joint recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) to set price ceilings on rice in the country.
Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is PhP41.00 per kilogram while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is PhP45.00 per kilogram.
The recommendation of the DA and the DTI to impose price ceilings on rice stemmed from the current surge in retail prices of rice in the country, which resulted in a considerable economic strain on Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged and marginalized. PND
