By GMA Integrated News.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) urged the public to report overpriced rice amid the looming declaration of a food security emergency.

“Reminder, we have #DABantayPresyo. If you notice unusually high prices, take a picture and send it using that hashtag,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Monday.

Laurel also raised concern over the alleged mislabeling of rice at the Cartimar Market in Pasay City, which could mislead consumers.

“Some rice, which used to be branded, no longer has a brand but is labeled ‘fancy,’ even though it’s not. And the price is high,” he said.

The DA and the Department of Trade and Industry are working on implementing unified labelling guidelines, which will indicate the type of rice, its origin, the date of milling, and the percentage of broken grains.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had said the move to declare a food security emergency would lower the price of rice.

Under Republic Act 12078 or the law amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the Agriculture Secretary has the power to declare a food security emergency on rice due to a supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.

Earlier this month, the DA announced a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58 per kilo for premium imported rice.

Based on DA Bantay Presyo on January 24, premium rice in Metro Manila markets costs about P53.09 per kilo for local commercial rice, while it costs about P54.99 for imported commercial rice. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated NewsPresident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had said the move to declare a food security emergency would lower the price of rice.

Under Republic Act 12078 or the law amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the Agriculture Secretary has the power to declare a food security emergency on rice due to a supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.

Earlier this month, the DA announced a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58 per kilo for premium imported rice.

Based on DA Bantay Presyo on January 24, premium rice in Metro Manila markets costs about P53.09 per kilo for local commercial rice, while it costs about P54.99 for imported commercial rice. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News

Published Date: January 28, 2025