The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that 44.8% of rice vendors nationwide are complying with the P50 per kilo price cap on imported grain. The data came from inspections conducted by the agency. BusinessWorld reported that DA Spokesman Arnel V. De Mesa disclosed the findings in a briefing.
Inspectors visited 1,004 vendors across the country, of which 822 — or roughly 45% — were found to be selling imported rice at or below the mandated price ceiling. The remaining vendors were either non-compliant or had yet to be checked.
The DA continues to monitor compliance as part of efforts to stabilize rice prices and protect consumers. Further inspections and enforcement actions are expected in the coming weeks.