By Erwin Nicavera – PNA News
BACOLOD CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) has urged grains retailers in Negros Occidental to comply with the suggested retail prices (SRPs) for rice.
NFA-Negros Occidental provincial manager Frisco Canoy said on Tuesday the SRPs for milled rice took effect last Nov. 11 or 15 days after the implementing guidelines were published in a newspaper of general circulation on October 26.
He added that on Nov. 9, he briefed some local retailers on the SRPs and to put price tags and labeling.
They should already be complying with the rice SRPs starting this week, he said.
“Some retailers might have not yet implemented the guidelines or still in the process of complying, so we will advise and warn them to immediately follow,” Canoy said.
He added that the NFA is coordinating with other regulatory agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in monitoring the implementation of and compliance to the guidelines.
“We are serious in implementing the measure, but this means that due process will be followed,” Canoy said.
The general guidelines stated on the memorandum-circular issued by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Oct. 24 set the SRPs for local rice from PHP39 to PHP47 per kilo, depending on the classification.
Regular milled rice costs PHP39 per kilo while well-milled and premium rice cost PHP44 to PHP47 per kilo, respectively.
For imported rice, the SRP for well-milled is PHP39 per kilo. Those for premium grade one and two are PHP43 and PHP40 per kilo, respectively.
Special rice, such as glutinous, aromatic, pigmented, japonica and micronutrient-dense rice, are not covered by the SRPs.
Also, the NFA has set a prescribed standard specifications on the labeling of rice boxes and price tags.
The classification of rice should only be regular milled, well-milled, premium grade and special rice. These should be printed on rice boxes in black bold letters with white background.
The price tags should reflect the information and the price per kilogram
