SRP on rice, others in place; DU30 honors National Artists

THE government will implement the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) on rice this Saturday, October 27, to bring down the prices of the country’s staple food.

The “war” on high rice prices begins, as ordered by Pres. Duterte.

** * The SRP scheme will also be applied to sugar, chicken, and pork, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Profiteers beware! Expanded SRP coverage eyed to check price violations and inflation.

* * * Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the SRP will initially cover Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

SRP for the regions and supermarkets will be decided with stakeholders next week, he said.

*** Piñol added that the SRP on rice should have been imposed last October 23 but the DA decided to move it to October 27 following the request of rice industry stakeholders for more time to prepare signage in their retail outlets.

Grace period granted. No more reason for further delay.

*** The DA said that under its “rice retailing reforms,” rice sold in the stalls should be identified as regular milled (139 per kilo), well-milled (144), premium rice (147), and special varieties.

Profiteers will be dealt with accordingly, warned both the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). *** “The use of fancy brand names like ‘Mindoro Dinorado,’ ‘Senandomeng,’ ‘Super Angelica,’ ‘Yummy Rice,’ and ‘Double Diamond’ will be banned to stop the mislabeling and deception in the marketing of rice,” Pinol said.

*** Piñol pointed out that the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, which he now heads, had earlier approved the SRP guidelines and the corresponding penalties and sanctions for their violation.

Cancellation of NFA licenses, stiff fines, and criminal charges poised.

*** Piñol said rice prices would further stabilize with the incoming harvest and additional “undeterred” rice importation allowed by the President.

Profiteers and rice hoarders slapped with “unli” rice importation by The Punisher. Whew!

*** But the Bantay-Bigay group said through Cathy Estavillio that the Duterte administration should go further by prosecuting rice traders who engaged in rice hoarding in recent months.

“Sample! Sample..,” they cried.

*** Piñol said SRP will likely be applied on sugar (155), chicken (1130) and pork (1220) to check overpricing.

SRP to the rescue — Sa Resonableng Presyo! *** Pres. Duterte, on recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), conferred the 2018 Order of National Artist on Francisco Mañosa (architecture), Eric de Guia aka Kidlat Tahimik (film), Ramon Muzones and Resil B. Mojares (literature), Ryan Cayabyab (music), Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (theater), and Lauro “Larry” Alcala (visual arts).

May their tribe increase and may the country’s creative juices continue flowing. Congratulations!

*** The President also bestowed the Gawad sa Manlilikhang Bayan (Gamaba) Award to Ambalang Ausalin, Estelita Bantilan, and YabingMasalon-Dulo

Let the country’s artists be exalted and accorded corresponding benefits and honors — for the cultural enrichment of the Filipino nation.