By Stephanie Sevillano

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it has recommended a 30-day extension of the PHP50 per kilogram price cap for 5 percent broken imported rice.

The DA will convene other members of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to discuss the said proposal on Thursday.

“We do not want to preempt any decision that will be made by the President, but so far the DA is recommending the extension of the price cap… 30 days po ulit (another 30 days),” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Willie Ann Angsiy said in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the market inspection at the Guadalupe Commercial Complex in Makati City.

“But DA is only recommendatory; it will still be up to the NPCC to recommend to the President,” she added.

The DA official said the recommendation seeks to support reasonable prices for local retail rice to benefit Filipino farmers.

“Gusto talaga nating magkaroon ng basically fighting chance ‘yung ating (We really want to have a fighting chance for our) local rice,” Angsiy said.

As of Tuesday, premium imported rice in Metro Manila sells at PHP50 per kilo, while the price of imported well-milled rice ranges from PHP46 to PHP62 per kilo, and imported regular-milled rice at PHP45 to PHP48 per kilo, according to the DA Bantay Presyo (Price Watch).

Local premium rice is at PHP48 to PHP62 per kilo, while the prevailing prices of local well-milled rice and regular milled rice are pegged at PHP50 per kilo and PHP45 per kilo, respectively.

The DA also wants to maintain the temporary regulation on prices of retail imported rice.

“Para rin talagang ma-regulate natin itong mga pumapasok na (It can also help regulate the incoming arrivals of) imported rice,” Angsiy added.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that a “month-long” extension will “not hurt” retailers, provided a reasonable profit margin.

“Though alam natin na mas effective siya kapag short-term ang implementation, siguro another month will not hurt para ma-ensure natin ‘yung gains natin (Although we know that a short-term implementation is more effective, maybe another month will not hurt just to ensure our gains),” De Mesa said in a separate interview.

“Iyong 25 percent broken o well-milled rice na imported, kayang ibenta iyon ng PHP45 hanggang PHP50. ‘Yung premium, nakita naman natin based doon sa receipts, sa binhi lang kayang ibenta iyon ng PHP48 (The 25 percent broken or well-milled rice may be sold from PHP45 to PHP50, while as low as PHP48 for premium, based on the receipts that we have seen),” the DA official added.

To date, De Mesa said global prices for imported rice range from USD460 to USD500 per metric ton.

Notice of violations 

Meanwhile, Angsiy said adjudication officers are handling responses from allegedly erring retailers following the 48-hour deadline to answer Notice of Violations (NOVs).

“Out of 36, 13 have responded so far. We have already endorsed to our adjudication officers all the NOVs,” she said.

In Metro Manila, the DA reported an increase in the compliance rate.

As of Wednesday, the agency logged more than 80 percent compliance, which is higher than the earlier reported 70 percent.

The DA, however, acknowledged that it faces challenges in securing nationwide data on compliance rates, especially from far-flung areas. (PNA)

Published Date: June 10, 2026