The Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agriculture conducted a joint price monitoring operation in Navotas City Friday as the government prepares for a looming rice import ban in September.
The operation aimed to ensure that prices and supply of basic goods remain stable amid the ongoing price freeze and national trade policies, the two agencies said in a statement.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led inspection teams at the Navotas Agora Public Market and Ever Supermarket.
The teams checked 101 stock keeping units (SKUs) of basic necessities and prime commodities and found them to be in full compliance with current suggested retail price and price freeze bulletins. The monitoring also included meat, fish and vegetables.
“This joint operation with the Department of Agriculture is the foundation of our food security strategy. By ensuring the stable supply and fair pricing of rice, we are delivering on our promise to keep essential food items accessible to every Filipino family,” Roque said.
The DA launched an expanded rollout of its flagship rice subsidy program, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, at select major fish ports in Luzon.
The program provides fisherfolk and registered fishery sector workers access to rice at a subsidized price of P20 per kilogram, half the market price for similar-quality rice.
Eligible beneficiaries may purchase up to 10 kg. per month using their RSBSA or FishR IDs, or a valid QR code from the online registration system.
The P20 rice initiative, initially targeted at solo parents, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, has expanded to include minimum wage earners, rice farmers and now fisherfolk.
The DA said it is finalizing a QR code system to track purchases and gather data on consumption and supply needs.
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