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THE prices of rice and vegetables have gone down, officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Quezon City local government said following a joint inspection at the Commonwealth Public Market.

Rice was being sold "at maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) guidelines at P55, P54, P45, P42, and P40. This is a good sign. For tomatoes, one stall was selling at P30 per kilogram (kg), the highest at P50," DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Since last month, the DA has been imposing an MSRP for imported rice — from P58/kg on Jan. 20, P55/kg on Feb. 5, and P52/kg on Feb. 15.

Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosks have also lowered the prices of their rice stocks, with 5 percent broken rice (RFA5) at P43/kg, 25 percent (RFA25) at P35/kg, and 100 percent at P33/kg.

Broken rice is composed of rice grains fragmented during drying or milling. It is said to be equally nutritious as regular rice, and much cheaper.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel said the DA and the Quezon City LGU will go over the details of the city's purchase of National Food Authority's (NFA) rice stocks.

"In our initial town hall meeting, we agreed the NFA rice could be directly supplied to our rice sellers. The NFA will explain this to the rice vendors, making it more efficient," said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

Pork remains expensive

As for other commodities, Tiu Laurel said that while chicken prices have gone down, pork remains expensive. He said an MSRP for pork might be imposed in March.

"I've received initial reports that the problem lies in the retail sector. However, in my conversation with a vendor at Commonwealth Market, she said the issue is with the agents, middlemen, farmgate prices, and slaughterhouses," Tiu Laurel said.

He noted that while prices of onion have slightly increased, the DA's importation plan will address the problem.

"We urge our farmers and traders that the early harvest of onions should be sent directly to the market and not stored. Storing them will prevent prices from dropping," said Tiu Laurel.

For her part, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said: "DTI will closely monitor the prices set by the DA for rice to ensure compliance, as we have regional and provincial directors in all 18 regions across the country. This is part of our efforts to enforce price regulations for other products as well."

Source : msn