The Department of Agriculture (DA) will recommend the extension of the P50-per-kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for rice, which is set to expire on June 30, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

During a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DA is studying the possibility of extending the measure to keep rice prices affordable for consumers.

“Ang sabi po mismo ng DA ay magrerekomenda pa rin po sila ng extension of the price cap, at ito naman po ay titingnan po natin kung sasang-ayunan pa rin po ng National Price Coordinating Council at kung aaprubahan ng Pangulo. Pero magrerekomenda po sila ng extension for the price cap,” Castro said.

Castro, however, noted that no final decision has been made, as the proposal must still undergo evaluation by the National Price Coordinating Council before being submitted for the President’s approval.

Asked whether the extension could be approved before June 30, Castro said this remains the objective of the DA.

“Iyon po ang inaaral ng DA at iyan po ang nais nila,” she said

Castro also confirmed that some rice retailers are under investigation for allegedly failing to comply with the government-imposed price cap.

According to Castro, the DA has already begun issuing notices to establishments suspected of violating the policy while investigations are ongoing.

“So, sa ngayon po ay iniimbestigahan po ito kaya po hinihikayat natin ang mga kababayan po natin, sa mga nakikita ninyo pong umaabuso patungkol sa presyo ng bigas, ipagbigay-alam lamang po ninyo sa …kahit po sa amin dito at sa Department of Agriculture para po ito ay maimbestigahan at mapanagot na ang dapat na mapanagot,” Castro added.

Malacañang likewise urged the public to help monitor compliance with the rice price cap by reporting any suspected violations to the proper authorities.

Castro said the DA has yet to provide the exact number of rice retailers currently under investigation but confirmed that notices have already been issued to several establishments for possible violations. Presidential News Desk