By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is urging traders to make market decisions independently to ensure fair competition in the imported rice sector following the imposition of a nationwide ₱50-per-kilo price ceiling.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 26, the country’s antitrust watchdog said it held a dialogue with Philippine Rice Importers’ Association (PRIA) last May 20 to discuss the industry group’s compliance with Executive Order (EO) No. 118.

Issued on May 13, EO 118 imposes a ₱50-per-kilo price cap on imported five-percent broken rice for 30 days.

The policy was implemented to prevent market abuse and keep the staple affordable to consumers at a time when the cost of essential goods remains elevated.

Since the price ceiling affects the entire supply chain, the PCC’s competition enforcement office (CEO) said it is critical that each rice trader make all commercial decisions independently.

This means market participants should avoid exchanging sensitive commercial information such as prices, quantities, and import volumes to uphold fairness in the market, the PCC said.

With this, the PCC said it is open to collaborative partnerships to help the industry comply with fair market principles, including initiatives involving strict policing and technical assistance.

The commission added that it is keen on establishing a transparent framework with PRIA to enforce compliance with the imported rice price ceiling without compromising market stability.

By strengthening market integrity, the PCC said it aims to deter anti-competitive behavior, prevent market distortions, and protect consumer welfare.

For its part, PRIA president Raffy Herrera said the industry group remains committed to complying with government regulations as part of its support for food security and a stable rice supply.

PRIA, which represents 60 importers, also urged the PCC to hold similar discussions with other importer groups to better align industry operations with the price cap and related government measures.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is prepared to help retailers access reasonably priced imported rice to assist in complying with the policy. The DA also said it would deploy field teams nationwide to monitor implementation.

The price cap is widely expected to be extended beyond the current 30-day implementation period as rice prices remain elevated amid persistent inflationary pressures. – Dexter Barro II

Published Date: May 26, 2026