The price ceiling on rice in the Philippines will be removed once there is enough production of rice grains, according to National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon.

Edillon said in an interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan that the price ceiling is temporary and will be removed during the harvest season as the supply will certainly increase.

"Yung price ceiling, temporary. Yung ibang measures, regular na ginagawa 'yan," she said.

"Pagdating ng harvesting season para sa palay, aalisin na rin ang price ceiling. Pag dumarating ang harvest, dumarami ang supply natin. Talagang madi-deep down ang prices. Kasi talagang pag nag-umpisa na ang maramihang harvest, ili-lift na ang price ceiling kasi hindi na kailangan," she continued.

Edillon added that there is a possibility that farmgate prices will decrease as a result of Executive Order 39.

"Posibleng maging consequences. Ini-expect na natin na bababa ang farmgate price kasi parating na ang harvest," she explained.

"Hindi lang sa mga retailers, pati na rin sa mga farmer na affected ng pagpapatupad nitong EO 39," she continued.

On August 31, EO 39, which sets a price limit of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice, was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and will take effect tomorrow, September 5.