The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) expressed its readiness to continue working with the government to provide consumers with affordable and quality rice, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said Saturday.
The response was made after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39 putting a cap on rice prices, a joint recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Based on the EO, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41 per kilo, while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is P45 per kilo.
"Sa kabila po nito ay patuloy pa rin po kaming nakikiusap, at nakikipag-usap rather, at in partnership with the President and the government, together with the DA, at ang ating pamahalaan. Ang gusto po natin ay magkaroon ng maayos na bigas sa ating pamilihan, na mabigyan po natin ng tamang presyo, na kung ano po ‘yung hinihiling sa atin," PRISM lead convenor Rowena Sadicon said.
"Maaari pong hindi maintindihan ng lahat sa simula pero eventually po sa sama-samang pagtutulong ng ating mga kasamahan sa industriya ng bigas ay mapapagtagumpayan din po lahat ito at maihahain po natin sa ating mga consumers ang ating murang bigas, na ito po ang layunin ng ating Pangulo," she added.
According to Sadicon, they understand that the President has the authority to issue such an order and that she believes PRISM members will recognize the value of the chief executive.
"Ito po ay sana po masundan po ng ating mga stakeholders at maintindihan din nila. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong ito na pinakinggan n’yo rin kami at mapakinggan din po namin kung ano ang dahilan ng ating Presidente sa pagbigay ng executive order na ito. At andito po ang PRISM na patuloy na tutulong sa inyo," she noted.
Sadicon added that she is hoping for normalcy in the coming days, particularly with the start of the palay harvest season, which will stabilize rice prices in the country.
Marcos' approval of the price ceiling stemmed from the high retail prices of rice in local markets, ranging from P45 to P70.
The EO will take effect on Tuesday, September 5.
