Several rice retailers are weeping about the possible loss of income in their businesses as the imposed price cap of rice took effect in the local markets nationwide on Tuesday, August 5.
Jessica Loberiano, a rice retailer in Quinta Market in Quiapo, Manila, said the imposed price cap on milled and well-milled rice is huge sacrifice for them.
"Talagang sakripisyo po diyan, kasi ang puhunan po niyan is ₱44.80, may plastic pa po tayo. Wala na talaga kaming halos na kita diyan," she told RH Boy Gonzales in an interview.
But despite the possible profit loss, Loberiano said they could not do anything but follow the national government's order.
She also shared that their supplier might also be affected by the imposed price cap because they only received limited rice stock.
"Isang kilo lang ang bawat gusto naming ibenta kasi limitado lang naman yung stock na binibigay sa amin ng supplier. Siguro dahil kaonti lang ang stock na nakukuha nila. Sakripisyo siguro sila doon kasi wala silang kita doon," she said.
Wilson Santiago, a rice retailer in Trabaho Market in Sampaloc, Manila, also lamented the same concern that they will be not earning enough due to the rice price cap.
"'Yung ₱41 at ₱45, hindi maayos o hindi nila napag-aralan mabuti kasi sa ₱41 at ₱45 na binigay niya, sana tiningnan din nila na kung may kikitain ba o wala ang retailer," he said.
Santiago said they are just earning ₱2 tubo or extra profit for every kilo of rice they sell.
"Eh magusupot [plastic] pa kami. Halos wala na kaming tutubuin," he added.
The rice retailer also raised that they are receiving limited sacks of rice from their supplier.
"Tatlong sako lang ang binigay ng bodega. Ayun lang daw ang alokasyon bawat tindahan. Sabi ko, baka pwedeng dagdagan? Ayun lang daw ang alokasyon kada tindahan," Santiago lamented.
Meanwhile, Abby, a retailer in a local market in Caloocan, called on the government to also look at retailers' situation and not just the consumer.
"Sana huwag kayo maging one-sided, pakinggan niyo rin kaming mga maliliit na negosyante. Tapat din kami sa pagbebenta. Halos libo-libo ang mawawala sa amin," she stressed.
According to Abby, it is impossible for them to follow the ₱41 and ₱45 per kilo rice price cap as they are buying the sack of rice at a high cost.
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Last Friday, September 1, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39 setting the price of regular milled rice at ₱41 per kilo and well-milled rice at ₱45 per kilo.
The said price cap was recommended by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the retail prices of rice in the market have surged despite the stable and sufficient rice supply.
Individuals who will be caught violating the order may face 5 to 15 years of imprisonment and be mandated to pay a fine ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱2 million as stated under Sections 15 and 16 of Republic Act No. 7581 or Price Act.
