DA shelves execution of Price Act guidelines

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture has suspended for now the implementation of the Price Act's guidelines, which require the regular price check of agricultural goods.

"Following reports of private groups raising additional concerns on the IRR (implementing rules and regulations), Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has issued a suspension order for Administrative Order 7 series of 2015 published on September 2, 2015," the DA said in a statement.

Alcala said the suspension will allow stakeholders to further raise their concerns on the IRR.

DA said it will have consultations in island regions across the country.

Sought for comment yesterday, Gerry Avila, DA-Region 7's chief for agribusiness and marketing, said the "IRR is ready for implementation" but is still subject for another consultation.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Leandro Gazmin said the consultations will focus on contentious areas such as profiteering and means to set suggested retail price (SRP) for agricultural products.

"Other groups also look [some provisions of] the IRR as price control mechanism. We just look at it as SRP -- a guide -- and not a price freeze mechanism," DA quoted Gazmin as saying.

He said profiteering only happens when products are sold in excess of 10% of SRP, in which case the DA shall issue a show cause order allowing the concerned business establishment to explain.

Under the IRR, the DA will create the provincial-level and regional-level Bantay-Presyo Working Groups to lead the SRP supervision which, Gazmin said, should be location-specific.

Avila said the IRR has focused on price monitoring especially during calamities.

"This Bantay-Presyo task force is to be revived yet and is mostly focused on poultry and livestock whereby the group meet regularly and discuss important issues including price," Avila told The FREEMAN yesterday, adding that DA-7 will form this group to be led by its regional technical director.

Among the products watched by DA's price monitoring include rice, corn, root crops, vegetables, fruits, meat, fresh and dried fish, cooking oil, eggs, sugar and fresh milk.

The Agriculture department is mandated to regularly monitor prices and the supply of basic and prime agricultural commodities and necessities. (FREEMAN)