MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it has recommended extending for another 30 days the ₱50 per kilogram price cap on 5 percent broken imported rice.

The DA said it will meet other members of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on Thursday to discuss the proposal.

“We do not want to preempt any decision that will be made by the President, but so far the DA is recommending the extension of the price cap… 30 days po ulit (another 30 days),” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Willie Ann Angsiy said in an ambush interview during a market inspection at the Guadalupe Commercial Complex in Makati City.

She said the recommendation is still subject to approval by the NPCC and ultimately the President.

“But DA is only recommendatory; it will still be up to the NPCC to recommend to the President,” she added.

Angsiy said the move aims to help maintain reasonable rice prices while also supporting local farmers.

“Gusto talaga nating magkaroon ng basically fighting chance ‘yung ating local rice,” she said.

Based on DA price monitoring as of Tuesday, imported premium rice in Metro Manila is priced at ₱50 per kilo, while imported well-milled rice ranges from ₱46 to ₱62 per kilo, and imported regular-milled rice from ₱45 to ₱48 per kilo.

For local rice, premium varieties are sold at ₱48 to ₱62 per kilo, well-milled rice at around ₱50 per kilo, and regular-milled rice at about ₱45 per kilo.

The DA also said it wants to maintain the temporary regulation on retail prices of imported rice to help manage market conditions.

“Para rin talagang ma-regulate natin itong mga pumapasok na imported rice,” Angsiy said.

In a separate interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said a one-month extension would not significantly affect retailers, provided profit margins remain reasonable.

“Though alam natin na mas effective siya kapag short-term ang implementation, siguro another month will not hurt para ma-ensure natin ‘yung gains natin,” De Mesa said.

He added that imported rice priced at 25 percent broken or well-milled can sell between ₱45 and ₱50 per kilo, while premium varieties may reach around ₱48 per kilo based on observed receipts.

De Mesa also said global rice prices currently range from USD460 to USD500 per metric ton.

On enforcement, Angsiy said the DA is processing responses from retailers issued Notices of Violations (NOVs) after the 48-hour compliance period.

“Out of 36, 13 have responded so far. We have already endorsed to our adjudication officers all the NOVs,” she said.

The DA reported that compliance in Metro Manila has improved to more than 80 percent, up from an earlier 70 percent.

However, the agency noted ongoing difficulty in gathering nationwide compliance data, particularly in remote areas.