MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he will issue an executive order imposing a PHP50 per kilogram price cap on imported well-milled rice, as part of efforts to stabilize food prices amid global uncertainties.
“Ilalabas natin ang Executive Order para maipatupad na ito sa lalong madaling panahon (We will issue the Executive Order so this can be implemented as soon as possible),” Marcos said following a meeting of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) committee.
The move is in line with the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council, which is tasked to monitor and stabilize prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.
Marcos said prices of key goods, including rice, remain within suggested retail price levels, with the government continuing to monitor around 205 commodities.
He added that authorities are coordinating with manufacturers and retailers to defer price increases.
“Patuloy tayong nakikipag-usap sa manufacturer at retailer na hindi sila magtaas muna ng presyo hanggang sa susunod na buwan (We continue to engage manufacturers and retailers to hold off price increases until next month),” he said.
The President also announced the expansion of the government’s subsidized rice program.
“Pinalalawak din ang P20 rice program… umakyat na sa 2,000 tons dahil tumaas ang demand (The P20 rice program is being expanded… supply has increased to 2,000 tons due to higher demand),” he said, noting that 627 distribution centers are now operational nationwide.
The measure comes as the government ramps up interventions under the declared national energy emergency, triggered by the impact of the Middle East conflict on global oil prices.
Under Executive Order No. 110, the administration is implementing a whole-of-government response through the UPLIFT framework, which includes food security, transport support and price stabilization measures.