Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday conducted simultaneous inspections in markets across Metro Manila and several regions to monitor compliance with the government’s P50-per-kilo price cap on imported rice with 5 percent broken grains.

During an inspection at Trabajo Market in Sampaloc, Manila, the DA issued a notice of violation to a rice vendor who was caught changing a price sign upon the inspectors’ arrival.

The vendor has been given 48 hours to explain why charges or penalties should not be imposed.

“’Yun talaga kasi nakita natin na nagpapalit ng shelf talker sila. Nung una, nilagay nila P55, tapos nakita ko pinalitan nila ng 50 bago dumating ‘yung mga kasamahan natin dito,” said Agriculture Assistant Secretary Willie Ann Angsiy of the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office.

Authorities also suspect that some vendors may be labeling imported rice as local rice to avoid the price cap.

The DA collected rice samples from several stalls for testing using a rice quality analysis machine.

“We have to be scientific about it. I-analyze muna natin bago tayo magconclude pero ang ating main ano dito, hopefully sumunod sila sa sa labeling requirements,” said Glenn Panganiban, Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry.

According to rice vendor Francis, his profits become very small as the P50 price cap leaves little margin.

“Panukod lang, ganun lang. Parang kasi nagbabayad kami ng kasamahan mga tao dito, kargador, tapos tindahan…Halimbawa ang kuha namin P1,200, eh di P50 na lang tapos magpaplastic ka pa. Talaga maliit lang,” he said.

Another rice vendor, Joel Batacan, said the government should focus on stabilizing prices at the supplier level.

“Sana anuhin din nila ‘yung supplier na tutukan nila na taas-baba, taas-baba, siyempre maapektuhan ang P50 kasi konting galaw lang po ‘yan itaas ng 50 magbabago na naman po ang presyo,” Batacan said.

The agency said it will also closely monitor rice suppliers.

“So far, ‘yung mga nakakusap natin, kaya naman raw ibenta ng P50…kaya nakalagay sa notice of vioation kinukuha kung kung saan sila kumukuha ng supply para mapuntahan natin sila at tignan kung magkano yung presyo,”said Junibert De Sagun, Director IV of the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service.

The DA also inspected Dagonoy Public Market in Manila, where only one of five rice stalls was open during the visit.

“May mga open naman, pero pag Monday kasi ‘yung iba nagko-close talaga sila, pero itong Monday na ‘to nagkataon lang din talaga na may outing ‘yung isang malaking namimigas dito kaya sarado,” said Market Master Errol Castañares.

The DA said that about 70 percent of rice retailers are already complying with the government-imposed price cap.

Published Date: June 2, 2026