Rice at P45-per-kilo available in NCR starting Nov. 11

Consumers in Metro Manila can purchase rice that costs P45 per kilogram in various markets starting on Monday, November 11, according to Bernadette Reyes’ report in “24 Oras” on Friday.

The price was a result of a dialogue between the Department of Agriculture and the leaders of market associations in the National Capital Region.

The agreement provides that the sellers should only earn between P3 to P5 per kilo.

“With this agreement kanina, we are hoping na talagang ma-sustain na hindi lang siya pili kundi ito talaga ang magiging standard na pag regular at well-milled (rice) talagang dapat hindi tataas ng P45 ang presyuhan dapat sa palengke,” said Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa.

(With this agreement, we are hoping that we will not just sustain the P45 per kilo price cap but that this will be the standard for regular and well-milled rice.)

Rice sellers, on the other hand, are optimistic about the new policy.

“May abot pa naman kami doon na bahagyang bahagya lamang kaya pagbibigyan natin,” said Javier Villena, representative of Kamuning Market Rice Retailer.

(I think we can still profit from this even with just a small amount, so we will just go with this.)

Villena said they can get earnings from other items that they are selling.

De Mesa said it was also agreed to check on the implementation of the agreement.

"Siyempre titingnan din namin kasama din sa meeting of course kanina ang enforcement at implementation team.. part din titingnan kung mag probabilty ng profiteering," he said.

Pork supply, prices

Further, the DA said that provinces will likely follow suit but there’s a possibility that rice prices might be affected by the recent typhoons.

On another matter, the department assured that there’s enough supply of pork in time for the holidays. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News