00:00Some government agencies have also requested the implementation of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price.
00:08The Agriculture Department has just issued guidelines for the period of compliance.
00:14This is what Velt Custodio reported.
00:18Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry
00:23to carry out special price and supply monitoring for the primary buyers in Trabajo Market, Sampaloc, Manila.
00:30This is also in line with the implementation of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price, which is Php 58 per kilo of imported rice.
00:38But according to the DA and DTI, there are still some rice farmers who sell up to Php 60 per kilo of rice.
00:46Depends on the seller, they just let the old supply run out and they will also replace the rice at a lower price if the old stocks run out.
00:55That is also what our secretary said, that's why she didn't implement it right away because she knows that we still have stocks.
01:04So what we expect is that within the next few days or weeks, we can strictly implement the Php 58.
01:14It's still low, so we really need to have an adjustment period.
01:18We'll give them enough time to renegotiate their stocks now and to their supplier.
01:25But eventually, in two weeks' time, we'll have another round.
01:32The guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry for the period of compliance have been approved.
01:38Aside from rice, agencies are also evaluating the price of other primary products.
01:43We noticed that the price of meat is a bit high here compared to other markets that we monitor.
01:50We are looking at it to see if it has an effect on rent or something. That's what we will look at.
01:59Meanwhile, it is possible for the DA to declare a food security emergency and is just waiting for a resolution to be issued for this.
02:07The food security emergency has two parts. First, it can help lower the price of rice.
02:14Second, the NFA stocks can be issued and these stocks are lower.
02:19We expect that it will be issued at Php 38 per kilo.
02:22So its volume is about big, so it has an effect on lowering the price.
02:28After receiving the resolution for three days, the food security emergency can be declared.
02:34We're checking it now because we also have to give time to the DA due diligence for the review.
02:41As pronounced by the Secretary, if the review is good, then he will make the necessary action as soon as possible.
02:50The DA will continue to assist local government units for the implementation and maintenance of the correct price in the market.
02:58Vel Custodio for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
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