MANILA , Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the public may feel a slight rise in rice prices amid the lean season but assured that it will not hit P60 per kilo.
DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said that the prevailing prices in the market for regular-milled rice is around P52 per kilo, almost the same as well-milled rice.
De Mesa said that the government is taking action to reel in the price of the staple commodity, including allowing more imports including from India.
“Sa ngayon, medyo malayo pa. from, 52 na prevailing to 60. Sa ngayon, hindi pa namin nakikita na papalo sa 60. Onting season lang naman. Ang importante, dumating ang imported rice, lalo makumpleto ang galing India na part,” he said in an interview on DZBB.
He noted that rice prices historically rise around mid-January to mid-February after the end of the wet season, as well as mid-August to mid-September.
“Kapag ganitong panahon, nararamdaman natin na unti-unting tumataas ng kaunti ang presyo ng bigas,” he added.
De Mesa said that the department is already studying a possible imposition of a suggested retail price (SRP) for rice but this is in the early stages.
“Isang pwedeng gawin na Pinagaaralan ngayon ang pagtatakda ng srp na naayon sa price act, kung talagang tataas pa rin lalo ang presyuhan ng bigas,” he said.
However, he said that there are still long consultations ahead with various stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, traders and millers.
“Maikumpara para makita kung ano ang magiging range ng price. Mahirap magsabi depende at wala pa. mahirap magsabi ng specific price it depends on the consultation,” he added. (CEBU NEWS)