THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) XI dismissed reports of a rice supply shortage in Davao City, the agency wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
The Office of the Regional Director through the Bantay Presyo Operations and Marketing Team, conducted monitoring on the ground on Tuesday morning to investigate the matter.
The department reported that data from the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) show that 3,465 metric tons equivalent to 69,300 bags of rice (50 kilos per bag) have just arrived at the Davao port.
The National Food Authority (NFA) XI confirmed there is enough buffer stock, while the Bantay Presyo has not reported any significant price movement of rice in the past monitoring activities.
For last week’s monitoring, imported premium rice is sold at P55; P53 for local premium rice; P52 for local well-milled; and P48 for local regular milled.
As per Bantay Presyo, the present prevailing price for rice stands at P56 for imported premium rice; stable at P53 for local premium rice; down to P51 for local well-milled; and stable at P48 for local regular milled.
DA XI advised the public to report to authorities immediately and contact in the number (082) 226-3625 local 1125 or via email: at darfoxi.ored@gmail.com, any illegal acts of price manipulation such as hoarding, profiteering, and cartels.
The department issued the statement following the misleading post circulating on Facebook alleging that the rice supply in the city is short. The said post has already been removed.
Councilor Angelo Mahipus Jr. requested the NFA XI and National Bureau of Investigation XI, through a resolution, to investigate for verification of the matter immediately. The City Council approved the motion on Tuesday.
Mahipus posted on his Facebook on Monday, asking “Naa daw nang-hoarding sa bugas?” (Is there somebody hoarding the rice?), which gained various reactions in the comments.
“These reports are dangerous, if untrue, because this may lead to panic buying, but more dangerous, if it is true because rice is a staple food and many families may not have sufficient rice for the coming days as everybody is caught by surprise with these reports,” Mahipus said in his privilege speech.
The councilor said this might cause the price increase of rice for sale to the public.
