MANILA – Quezon City consumers can now enjoy lower rice prices in public markets, with prices as low as P42-P45 per kilo, down from the prevailing P50 per kilo last week.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), in a release on Tuesday, said that Murphy Public Market, Mega Q-Mart, and Kamuning Public Market are now offering regular and well-milled rice at the newly lowered prices, based on inspections conducted on Monday.
“May nakita naman tayo na nagtitinda ng P42-P45, both local and imported. Iyong mas mababa ay local at karamihan ng imported ay premium (There are retailers selling P42-P45, both local and imported. The lower-priced ones are local, while most of the imported are premium),” said De Mesa.
DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra and DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa led the inspection, where they observed that both local and imported rice were being sold at the adjusted prices, ensuring compliance with agreements reached during a recent consultation with Metro Manila rice retailers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said DA officials met with Metro Manila rice retailers for a consultation last week, where both parties agreed to a P3-P5 profit margin per kilo of rice.
He said the consultation was necessary to address the high retail prices of rice in the markets, despite the recent lowering of tariffs.
He assured the public that the government would directly connect market vendors with importers or traders to streamline the supply chain and ensure stable prices. (PNA)