MANILA, Philippines — Consumers can now purchase well-milled rice and sugar at a fixed price at Robinsons Supermarkets under a program being implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Under the program, retailers may apply with the government to directly import commodities such as rice and sugar to be sold at their stores.
The retailers must sell the commodities at a fixed price of P39 per kilo for rice and P50 per kilo for sugar.
DTI started accepting applications from interested retailers last Oct.22.
To quality, an applicant has to provide a letter of intent addressed to the DTI head, indicating the import volume in metric tons, as well as the applicant’s retail outlets and list of branches where the imports will be sold.
In addition, the applicant has to provide a duly accomplished form, notarized undertaking form, and pay appropriate tariff and other necessary fees.
Lopez earlier said the program was part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of inflation on food prices.
The DTI also entered into a memorandum of agreement with the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Inc. to facilitate the entry of affordable rice into supermarkets.
It likewise continues to monitor prices of other goods and their raw materials as well as developments in the world market to ensure prices of basic goods remain reasonable.
Lopez expects no price increases in basic goods, except for sardines and corned beef, at least until the first quarter of 2019.
Some canned sardines rose by 45 to 85 centavos due to the high acquisition cost of herring fish locally called tamban.
One corned beef brand also increased its price due to rising cost of raw material beef forequarter.