Mangaldan rice retailers protest rice price cap
THE rice retailers at the Mangaldan Public Market opted to close their stalls on September 5 during the first day of the implementation of the rice price cap set in an executive order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The move was made to protest over the implementation of the Executive Order No. 39 which set the price ceiling of P45 per kilo for well-milled rice and P41 per kilo for the regular-milled throughout the country.
They said they can’t implement the price cap on rice because they bought their present rice stocks at higher prices, and if they will oblige, they would surely incur financial losses, and would eventually be forced to stop their business.
Understanding the plight of rice retailers, Mayor Bonafe De Vera-Parayno said she would continue to appeal to the national government to provide financial assistance to the local rice retailers affected by the President’s E.O.
Parayno said the municipal government of Mangaldan may also extend help to the local rice retailers to help them comply with the intent of the Presidential E.O. although she expressed optimism that the price cap will be lifted after a few weeks.
The retailers said the P15,000 subsidy is too small and would not in any way ease their financial losses.
The rice retailers suggested that instead of compelling them to sell rice to their customers at a loss, the national government should instead sell the big volume of rice lawmen found being hoarded in a warehouse in Bulacan. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
