DA Normin intensifies campaign on rice price cap

By JR Arellano

The Department of Agriculture Northern Mindanao (DA-10) intensifies its campaign on the implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Executive Order (EO) No. 118 imposing a PhP50-per-kilogram price ceiling on imported rice nationwide for 30 days to curb rising costs, prevent market abuse, and ensure an affordable supply for consumers. According to Apollo Pacamalan, the Regional Director of DA-10 the agency is conducting daily monitoring on the market price of rice on June 3 and 4, 2026 together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-10) and Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) at Cogon and Carmen public market. Director Pacamalan, applauded the rice retailers after they found no violators of EO 118 and emphasized that the retailers plays a vital role in its campaign on assuring that the price cap is properly implemented. The agency is eyeing to conduct monitoring every 2-3 times a week together with other agency while DA-10 remains on its commitment to monitor daily on the price cap on rice. “Kung adunay mamatikdan nga milapas, mahimong i-reklamo sa DTI ug DA aron masubay ug asa dapita, kinahanglan lang og picture”, Director Pacamalan added. Violators of the Executive Order No. 118 rice price cap (set at P50 per kilogram for imported 5% broken rice) face severe administrative and criminal penalties under the Price Act and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. Fines can reach up to P1 million, combined with criminal prosecution and imprisonment. The government is authorized to implement business closures, product seizures, permit revocations, and issue cease-and-desist orders. Retailers found overpricing or mislabeling are issued Notice of Violation and are strictly required to disclose their suppliers to authorities to prevent upstream hoarding or market abuse. Director Pacamalan cited that the local rice is not covered on the price cap hence the local rice producers are facing challenges on its sustainability since prices on imported fertilizer skyrocket since the Middle East tension. Currently the urea fertilizer can be bought by 3,000 – 5,000 per sack from 1,750 pesos per 50 kilograms, while DA encourages the farmers to patronize organic fertilizer.