Calatrava checks rice  retailers' compliance

CEBU, Philippines —  To ensure that Executive Order (EO) No. 39 is strictly followed, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava inspected yesterday public markets in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.

EO 39 (Imposition of Mandated Price Ceilings on Rice), which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. issued and took effect on Sept. 5,  set a price ceiling for regular milled rice (RMR) and well-milled rice (WMR) in the country in response to soaring rice prices.

In particular, the cap for RMR is P41 per kilo while WMR is at 45 per kilo

“So far, ni-comply man ang atong mga rice retailers,” Calatrava said.

With EO 39 meant to benefit the consuming public, the government also strove to assist the affected rice retailers, identifying a selection who would receive P15,000 as one-time assistance.

In Central Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 identified 87, including three three from Minglanilla, Cebu who received theirs at the office of Mayor Rajiv Enad.

The 87 rice retailers also included, four from the Carbon Public Market and another four from the Guadalupe Public Market, both in Cebu City, who received theirs during the payout at Carbon Public Market.

Six more rice retailers from Consolacion Public Market in northern Cebu also received their one-time financial assistance.

Earlier, Calatrava held a consultative meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture regional directors to make sure that the the President's directives are faithfully executed in the Visayas.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, in particular, stressed the importance of local government units' (LGUs) participation in monitoring compliance with EO 29.

He also said that the DILG can ensure that only those who are legitimate rice retailers can avail of the financial assistance through the LGUs.

DSWD had said that the P15,000 is the maximum amount allowed under Republic Act 9501 (Magna Carta for MSMEs) to compensate rice retailers classified as a micro enterprise for losses incurred for at most seven days since the effectivity of EO 39.

The DTI is responsible in coming up with the list of the affected rice retailers and in ensuring that the official list is verified and accurate. (CEBU NEWS)