To ensure stable rice supply amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) called for a meeting to capacitate enforcers on the classification of imported and local commercial rice on April 29, 2020.

“Following on reports that some rice retailers sell local regular milled rice, but labeled as premium grade rice aside from the prices pegged beyond the price freeze,” said DA-10, Regional Technical Director for Operations of Carlota S. Madriaga.

National Food Authority-10 (NFA-10) Regional Manager John Robert R. Hermano apprised the group on the classification of imported and local commercial rice such as well milled, special, premium, well milled and regular milled.

The enforcement team is composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 (CIDG-10), DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-10 (DA-BPI-10), National Bureau of Investigation-10 (NBI-10), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) of Cagayan de Oro City and the Regional Bantay Presyo Task Force. #

Under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01 of DA, DTI and DOH or “Price Freeze under a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019” was implemented for basic necessities as of March 8, 2020 until May 15, 2020, unless earlier lifted by the President.#