The Roxas City Grains Retailers Association (RCGRA) based at the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center in
Roxas City has committed to support the imposition of Mandated Price Ceiling on Rice as embodied in
the Executive Order No. 39 of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“Our group has committed to sell regular milled rice at P41.00 per kilogram and well-milled rice at
P45.00 for every kilogram,” said RCGRA president Edilberto Cambe, following a meeting led by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office with the local rice retailers.
More than 40 rice retailers attended the meeting on Sept. 6.
He added that the decision was made as the rice millers and suppliers have also agreed to lower their
selling price for them.
Cambe also appealed for a “little sacrifice” among his fellow retailers who will impose the price
ceiling on their existing rice stocks bought at a much higher price as rice prices are also expected to go
down especially that the harvest season is coming in a few more days.
The meeting with the retailers was a result of the Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC)
meeting presided by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture chair and acting
governor Cecilio Fecundo at the Provincial Capitol, in time with the effectivity of EO. No. 39.
Capiz vice-governor and Grains Retailers’ Confederation of the Philippines Inc. (GRECON) president
Jaime Magbanua also graced the meeting of the PPCC and grains retailers.
“Bukas kami na magsusuporta sa programa ng ating gobyerno dito sa implementasyon ng Executive
Order kasi kailangan naman talagang masilbihan natin ang mas maraming Pilipino,” Magbanua said in
a media interview.
The mandated price ceilings shall remain in full force and effect, unless earlier lifted by the President
upon the recommendation of the Price Coordinating Council or the Department of Agriculture (DA)
and DTI.
The EO has generated favorable feedback from the market goers, especially the low income earners.
“Because of the price cap, the retailers could not freely increase their prices,” said 40-year-old Amelia,
who has been a regular consumer of regular and well-milled rice at the TATC here.
Another consumer said that the mandated price ceiling fits well with him as the savings from the
budget on rice will be used for other daily necessities. (PIA Capiz)
