MANILA — Malacañang called on consumers to report retailers violating the government’s rice price cap policy, as authorities step up enforcement measures to protect buyers.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has already issued notices to establishments found violating the price cap and is currently investigating the cases.

“Ang sabi po ng DA ay nagbibigay na po sila ng notice patungkol sa mga violation na ito. So, sa ngayon po ay iniimbestigahan po ito (The DA said it has already issued notices regarding these violations. As of now, these cases are being investigated),” Castro told Palace reporters.

She urged the public to immediately report cases of overpricing to the DA or Malacañang for proper action.

“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 (We encourage our fellow citizens that if you see anyone abusing rice prices, please report it to us here or to the Department of Agriculture so it can be investigated and those responsible can be held accountable),” she said.

Castro also said the Department of Agriculture is expected to recommend extending the PHP50-per-kilo rice price cap beyond its scheduled expiration on June 30.

She said the proposal is still being studied and would be subject to recommendation from the National Price Coordinating Council and approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The PHP50-per-kilogram cap on imported rice was imposed through Executive Order 118 as a temporary measure to address price increases and market abuse.

The Department of Agriculture is considering a 30-day extension of the price cap for 5 percent broken imported rice.

The DA earlier warned that violators may face penalties under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law and the Price Act. It said it has already issued 36 notices of violation against retailers found breaching the policy.