00:00The Department of Agriculture has managed to provide the public with more affordable options for their staple grain consumption.
00:06The 29 per kilo aging but still quality rice for the elderly,
00:11disabled and those in the vulnerable sector and the Rice for All program that affords all Filipinos
00:16well-milled local and imported rice at a low price of 40 pesos per kilo.
00:21Make the newest batch of staple grain soon to be found in Cadillo and Ampangoto stores and kiosks as our Clazel Bardilla reports.
00:30Pastor Luciano purchased two types of rice.
00:34Imported rice at 60 pesos per kilo and local rice at 53 pesos per kilo.
00:51Based on the Department of Agriculture's price monitoring,
00:55rice prices currently range from 38 pesos to 64 pesos per kilo.
01:00At Eric Alamag stall in Balikbalik Market, Manila,
01:04imported rice remains the most expensive, priced at 62 pesos per kilo.
01:09Last June, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued an executive order reducing tariffs on imported rice.
01:28However, according to the DA,
01:3160 pesos of imported rice should not be seen in the market.
01:3460 pesos of imported rice is already profiteering, in my opinion.
01:38To bring down rice prices and prevent profiteering,
01:41the Department of Agriculture is set to impose a maximum suggested retail price for imported rice.
01:48The agency will meet with rice stakeholders, the Department of Trade and Industry, the DILG,
01:53and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to discuss implementation.
01:57Clearly, this is a price act or profiteering angle, right?
02:02So, whatever the consequences of profiteering, we will use that.
02:11It should also be cheap, what we are given.
02:15Because look, when we were lowered, we were also lowered, right?
02:19So that everybody is happy.
02:21Starting this week, consumers can buy sulit rice for 36 pesos per kilo in Morcadiwa stores.
02:29The Department of Agriculture began selling sulit rice last week into selected stores in Metro Manila as part of a trial run.
02:37While the program was not announced initially, the positive reception it has shown so far has prompted the agency to expand its availability.
02:46Sulit rice is imported, broken rice, but is white in appearance.
02:50Sulit rice is priced at 36 pesos per kilo, cheaper than the 40 pesos rice for all.
02:56The initiative aims to provide consumers with more affordable rice options.
03:01People are looking for it because it's being sold for 36 pesos.
03:05This week, we will finalize and roll out.
03:10Since it was successful and people liked it in those selected areas, we have to plan now how to roll it out and ensure that we have enough stocks.
03:21The best thing is, I have a Darong student.
03:25Massage is expensive.
03:27Of course, if you can save money, it's a big help.
03:30From PTV Manila, Kalaysal Pardilia, Balitang Pambansa.
