The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), through its Competition Enforcement Office (CEO), cautioned rice importers to make all commercial decisions independently and avoid exchanges of sensitive commercial information such as price, quantity, and import volume as the government implements a nationwide price of PHP50 per kilogram under Executive Order 118.
With this guidance, CEO Director Christian Loren de los Santos encouraged the Philippine Rice Importers’ Association (PRIA) to take active steps to ensure that its members comply with government policies and regulations.
Under EO 118, rice importer are required to keep price of imported rice at P50 per kilo to keep the staple affordable for consumers.
The CEO noted that while enforcement actions lead to deterrence, the PCC is open to collaborative partnership over strict policing, offering clear guidelines and technical assistance to help the industry comply with fair market principles.
On May 20, thePCC), through its CEO, held a dialogue with PRIA members to align their operations with EO 118 and safeguard fair market competition.
Issued on May 13, EO 118 sets a nationwide selling price cap of PHP50 per kilogram on imported rice (five percent broken) for 30 days to keep the staple affordable for consumers.
Recognizing that the price ceiling affects the entire supply chain, the PCC and PRIA focused on establishing a transparent, predictable framework that balances public welfare with market stability.
PRIA President Raffy Herrera affirmed the association’s dedication to food security and a stable rice supply. PRIA, which groups 60 importers, suggested that the PCC holds a similar dialogue with retailer organizations to better understand their logistical costs and align their pricing structures.
The dialogue served as an opportunity to reinforce open communication between the regulator and the business sector. The CEO emphasized the Commission’s commitment to being an approachable partner, focusing on collaborative compliance and transparent guidelines, to help market participants navigate regulations confidently.
Through this dialogue, the PCC continues to actively safeguard market integrity across essential consumer sectors. By engaging directly with critical food supply chains, the Commission balances supportive industry advocacy with steady enforcement to prevent market distortions, deter anti-competitive behavior, and protect consumer welfare.
