Camille Naredo

People buy from a rice retailer at the Pasig public Market in Pasig City on January 16, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

People buy from a rice retailerl at the Pasig public Market in Pasig City on January 16, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

RICE

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177366227360820250116-rice-retailer-pasig-JC-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="People buy from a rice retailer at the Pasig public Market in Pasig City on January 16, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">People buy from a rice retailer at the Pasig public Market in Pasig City on January 16, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possibility of imposing a price cap on imported rice, as it intensifies market monitoring following reports that retail prices have climbed as high as P58 to P60 per kilo in some areas.</p><p>These prices are far above what officials say should be the reasonable market price.</p><p>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. on Monday said the agency is exploring legal options under the Price Act to regulate prices amid suspected profiteering in the rice market. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/marcos-announces-more-subsidies-to-help-public-cope-with-effects-of-middle-east-conflict-1946">READ: Marcos announces more subsidies, policy adjustments to help public cope with effects of Middle East conflict</a></div><p>“Ang request namin is kung pwedeng i-price cap ang imported rice using Price Act. So, ngayon, pag-aaralan namin iyong legality no’n kasi nga mayroon presyo kaming nakikita na may P60 na imported rice, may P58, meron pang P60 plus sa ibang probinsya. Pero hindi naman gano’n karami pa, pero nakaka-alarma iyon dahil dapat sa P50 lang or P48 lang dapat may kita na sila e’,” Tiu-Laurel said.</p><p>He noted that imported rice should ideally retail at around P48 to P50 per kilo, suggesting that some market players may be taking advantage of supply anxieties. </p><p>“May profiteering angle kami nakikita ngayon. At kailangan, iyon na nga, iyong pakiusap ko sa ating mga mamimili kung imported rice ‘yan, huwag kayong papayag na gano’n kataas iyong presyo. At subukan ninyong tawaran dahil this is not the time for profiteering,” the agriculture chief added.</p><p>The DA is also monitoring reports that some traders are allegedly repacking imported rice into sacks labeled as locally produced rice to justify higher prices.</p><p>To curb possible abuses, the agriculture department plans to conduct intensified market inspections with support from law enforcement and regulatory agencies. </p><p>“Iikot nga kami sa palengke within the next day or two para mag-monitor. And, of course, we are requesting also the help of the PNP, NBI, and other government agencies like DTI to help us,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS THREATEN FERTILIZER SUPPLY</strong></div><p>Beyond rice prices, the DA is also preparing for the potential ripple effects of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly on the supply and cost of fertilizer used by farmers.</p><p>Tiu-Laurel said the issue was discussed in international meetings. </p><p>“Ang napag-usapan tungkol dito sa kaunting gulo na nangyayari dito sa Middle East nga is iyong fertilizer. That was part of the topic na napag-usapan at iyon na nga, mayroon magiging meeting sa Abril sa Brunei. Ministerial level ‘yan. At baka i-take up din doon iyong fertilizer issue na ‘yan,” he said.</p><p>He added that coordination is underway with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to help the Philippines explore alternative sources of fertilizer supply.</p><p>The DA noted that fertilizer prices have already climbed significantly, from around P1,650 to as high as P2,200, prompting the government to explore government-to-government procurement arrangements.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DEMAND FOR SUBSIDIZED RICE RISES</strong></div><p>Rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of goods are also driving more consumers to purchase rice under the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, with officials observing longer lines in recent days. </p><p>“Ito iyong napansin namin the last two days, humahaba iyong linya (pila ng mga bumibili). So, ibig sabihin mukhang naaapektuhan na talaga iyong mamamayan natin sa pagtaas nga ng mga basic goods,” Tiu-Laurel said. “Iyong dati naman na ayaw na bumili ng P20 bigas, ngayon mukhang nafo-force na rin bumili ng P20 bigas. Kaya nag-meeting kami kaninang umaga tungkol dito kung paano nga namin dodoblehin namin iyong mga stocks on-site,” he added.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/16/-staggered-fuel-price-hikes-set-instead-of-one-time-big-time-hike-doe-1339">READ: Diesel may hit P114 per liter even as oil firms agree to &#x27;staggered&#x27; price hikes – DOE</a></div><p>Despite the rising demand, the National Food Authority assured the public that the country has sufficient rice supply.</p><p>NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the agency currently holds buffer stocks equivalent to 10.3 days of national consumption, with about 6 million bags of rice stored in warehouses. </p><p>“Ang buffer stock natin ay nasa 10.3 days to last. So marami ‘yan. Even with nakikita ninyong rollout ng P20, ang haba ng pila, but still, hindi siya substantially nababawasan,” Lacson said.</p><p>He also urged the public not to panic buy amid global uncertainties.</p><p>“Ang mensahe namin sa public, huwag po kayong mag-alala. Sapat po iyong supply ng bigas natin. Hindi po kailangan mag-puyat para lang makakuha ng P20 bigas. Sapat po ‘yan. Marami po tayong bigas,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>AID FOR FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK</strong></div><p>To cushion the impact of rising fuel and production costs, the DA also plans to distribute P1,500 in assistance to about 50,000 fisherfolk and 48,000 farmers before the end of March.</p><p>In addition, a P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program for roughly 1.1 million farmers and fisherfolk is expected to roll out after Holy Week, with beneficiaries set to receive about P2,350 each.</p>

<p>The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possibility of imposing a price cap on imported rice as it intensifies market monitoring following reports that retail prices have climbed as high as P58 to P60 per kilo in some areas.</p>

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possibility of imposing a price cap on imported rice as it intensifies market monitoring following reports that retail prices have climbed as high as P58 to P60 per kilo in some areas.

DA studies price cap on imported rice amid reports of P60/kilo retail prices

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DA studies price cap on imported rice amid reports of P60/kilo retail prices

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 16, 2026 07:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Agriculture

Middle East

Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.

rice

food supply

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