The Philippine government is set to implement a price cap on imported rice as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and stabilize the cost of essential goods, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday.
Following the recent meeting of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee, President Marcos confirmed that an executive order will soon be issued to impose a maximum price of PhP50 per kilogram on imported well-milled rice.
“We will release the Executive Order to ensure this is implemented as soon as possible,” the President said in his address.
In addition to the price cap, the administration is expanding its subsidized rice initiative, commonly known as the “P20 rice program.” The program now operates across 627 centers nationwide and has significantly increased its supply from 600 tons to 2,000 tons in response to rising demand.
The decision to enforce the price ceiling follows recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council, which is tasked with monitoring and stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.
President Marcos noted that prices of essential goods, including rice, remain within suggested retail price levels. However, the government continues to closely monitor the situation as it works to regulate the cost of 205 commodities amid the ongoing energy emergency.
As part of these efforts, the administration is actively engaging manufacturers and retailers, urging them to temporarily refrain from increasing prices in the coming month.
Earlier, the President issued Executive Order No. 110, declaring a state of national energy emergency due to the continuing conflict in the Middle East. The order grants authority to address potential energy shortages and implement fuel allocation and conservation measures.
The same directive also institutionalizes the UPLIFT framework as a whole-of-government strategy to respond to economic challenges, ensuring coordinated action across sectors to safeguard public welfare.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to balancing market stability with consumer protection as it navigates current global and domestic economic pressures.
