FARMERS’ SUPPORT. Representatives of farmer groups from six regions in the country express support for the price ceiling imposed on regular milled and well-milled rice during a meeting of farmer group leaders in a hotel in Manila on Wednesday (Sept. 6, 2023). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order 39, which sets the price cap for regular milled rice at PHP41 per kg. and for well-milled rice at PHP45 per kg. (Screengrab from PTV)
PH | Six groups of farmers agree with the rice price cap | MANILA – In response to the recent spike in rice prices despite a plentiful supply on the domestic market, a number of rice farmer organisations from six different areas of the nation have indicated support for Executive Order (EO) 39, which sets a price ceiling on standard milled and well-milled rice.
The Tabano Omani Livelihood Project Organisation from the Cordillera region, the Aramal Tocok FFF MPC from the Ilocos Region, the San Roque Gulad Farmers Association, Inc., the Camillas FFS Agriculture Cooperative from Central Luzon, the Salcedo Irrigators & Farmers Agriculture from Mimaropa, and other groups from the Cagayan Valley and Bicol regions, as well as representatives of the farmer organisations, acknowledged the fact that
“We back the executive order that our president signed. The price ceiling will benefit all Filipinos, declared Joel Domingo, a Tarlac native and member of the Motrico Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, on Wednesday during a gathering of farmer group leaders in a Manila hotel.
Domingo also requested more farmer inputs from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to issue EO 39, which set the price cap of PHP41 per kg for normal milled rice and PHP45 per kg for well-milled rice, received backing from Rocky Gutierrez of the Camillas FFS Agriculture Cooperative as well.
“We notice the President’s compassion, and we appreciate him for it. All of us farmers benefit greatly from it, he said.
Saturnino Distor, a different rice farmer from the Aramal Tocok FFF MPC, asserted his conviction that many Filipinos will profit from EO 39.
As the harvest season begins next month, the farmers guaranteed a sufficient supply of rice till the end of the year.
The Marcos administration’s strongest tool to yet to defend consumers against hoarders, rice cartels, and illegal price-fixers is Executive Order 39 (EO 39).
In addition to intensifying the fight against hoarding and the illegal importation of rice, it mandates a coordinated effort among various agencies and takes action against cartels to ensure fair market competition and uphold consumer welfare and protection.
A list of the impacted rice dealers and retailers who will get a maximum of PHP15,000 in government aid is now being put together by the Department of Trade and Industry and the DA. (via PNA)
