Agri-10 monitors compliance with PhP50 rice price cap in major Oro mkt

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducts a market inspection at Cogon Market, one of the major Oro markets, earlier today, June 1, to ensure adherence with the government-imposed price ceiling for imported rice.

The activity is in line with Executive Order No. 118, series of 2026, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last May 13, which imposed a price cap of ₱50.00 per kilogram for imported rice with 5% broken grains for a period of thirty (30) days.

The said initiative aims to safeguard consumers against unreasonable price hikes, particularly low-income households, and to ensure continued access to affordable rice amid fluctuations in market prices.

It was led by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, together with representatives from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), City Economic Enterprises and Business Development Administration (CEEBDA) of CdeO City, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We inspected 54 market stalls in Cogon Market and found that retailers are compliant, indicating that they are aware of and are adhering to the provisions of the EO,” Dir. Pacamalan said.

Aside from monitoring rice prices, the team also inspected market vendors as to the compliance with labeling requirements for imported rice. Under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2026 issued by DA and the DTI, imported rice retailers are required to use a blue background price tag in their displays.

The agri chief exec also expressed his appreciation to the retailers for their cooperation, citing that many vendors promptly replaced their labels after being informed of the guidelines.

The market inspection forms part of the nationwide simultaneous market visits directed by the Office of the Secretary to ensure compliance with the Order and protect consumers from unnecessary price increases.

Similar activity will also be conducted tomorrow, June 2, at Carmen market.# (AMBM)