House Committee Investigates Rice Price Gouging, Warns Supermarkets
Rice Price Gouging: House Panel Warns Supermarkets, urges DA Action
House investigators are cracking down on potential price gouging in the rice market, warning supermarkets against inflating prices adn urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to take a more aggressive stance against manipulators.
Led by Albay Rep. Joey salceda, the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, also known as the Murang Pagkain Super-committee, is investigating the persistent high prices of rice, a staple food for millions of Filipinos.
Salceda issued a stern warning to supermarkets and large retailers, alleging that imported well-milled rice is being mislabeled as premium rice and sold at exorbitant prices, potentially earning retailers as much as $0.60 per kilogram.
“We have received reports that imported well-milled rice is being labelled as premium rice and sold at P70 per kilo in supermarkets. That means they earn as much as P30 pesos per kilo,” Salceda said in a statement.
The committee plans to summon representatives from these retailers once it reconvenes.
Salceda, an economist, dismissed the argument that consumer preference for premium rice is driving up prices. He cited data showing that even the highest quality imported rice from Vietnam costs only $0.82 per kilogram after duties,far less than the prevailing market price.
“We checked the latest reference values, and even the highest quality rice from Vietnam is just P41 per kilo after duties.That doesn’t explain why prices are stubborn at P56,” Salceda noted.
He added: “And that does not match actual average import prices of P31 per kilo after duties — that is not premium price. So, next time I get a reason like that, the committee will be forced to remind people that there are consequences to lying under oath,” said Salceda.
DA’s ‘Powerless’ Excuse Rejected
The committee has also criticized the DA for its inaction, rejecting the agency’s claim that it lacks the power to curb rice price manipulation.
Salceda urged the DA to utilize existing laws, including Republic Act 509, which grants the agency broad powers during a declared “rice emergency.”
“Rice prices have become something of a death spiral. And with the DA publicly saying they are powerless under the law, price manipulators are even more emboldened to do as they please,” Salceda said.
He called on the DA to “scour the considerable body of laws enacted over the decades and mobilize these laws to end the climate of economic impunity in the rice market.”
Salceda emphasized the need for stricter enforcement, including post-clearance inspections of import warehouses and random market inspections, to deter price gouging.
“We must also use all the organs and powers of the state, from post-clearance inspections of import warehouses, to random inspections in markets, to remove the sense that there is no sheriff in town,” said Salceda.
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