Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday warned violators of the PHP50 per kilogram price cap for 5 percent broken imported rice and mislabeling of local and imported varieties. The DA issued 36 notices of violations (NOVs) to erring retailers for alleged 'non-compliance' with Executive Order No. 118 and proper labeling following its nationwide simultaneous market inspection on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa announced during a press conference that retailers found guilty of profiteering could face severe penalties under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law and Price Act. 'Kung mapapatunayan na profiteering, mabigat 'yung kaparusahan. Pwede silang magmulta up to PHP1 million at may kasama rin na kulong (If they will be found guilty of profiteering, the penalties will be severe. They may pay a fine of up to PHP1 million and even imprisonment),' de Mesa explained.
Retailers who have received NOVs have 48 hours to respond or explain their non-compliance or mislabeling issues. The majority of the notices were served to retailers in the Ilocos Region, with 19 notices, followed by Metro Manila with eight, Central Luzon with four, Negros Island Region with three, and Bicol Region with two.
De Mesa indicated that additional NOVs will be issued to other potential violators as the inspections continue. The DA has inspected 1,004 stalls nationwide, with about 822 stalls selling imported rice. Out of these, only 368 stalls have been found compliant with the PHP50 per kilo price cap, reflecting a compliance rate of over 40 percent nationwide.
The DA reported that the lowest price of premium imported rice was PHP42 per kilogram in Central Luzon, while the highest was PHP70 per kilo in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The agency has committed to revisiting regions with zero compliance due to closed stalls during the nationwide simultaneous inspection.
De Mesa expressed optimism about achieving full compliance in the coming days, with the price cap effective until June 30. In Metro Manila alone, the DA recorded a 70 percent compliance rate with the price cap, with prices ranging from PHP46 to PHP60 per kilo.
