In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the DA Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga assured Davaoeños that there is no shortage of rice supply in the city based on the ground monitoring and data submitted to them from their partner agencies.
Gonzaga made the statement after a misleading post circulating on Facebook recently regarding the shortage of rice supply in some market outlets in Davao City.
The said post is no longer available as it was removed by the owner. Gonzaga said the post was inaccurate.
Gonzaga cites data from the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) which showed that 3,465 metric tons (MT) or 69,300 bags at 50 kilos per bag of rice has just arrived at the Port of Davao.
The National Food Authority (NFA) 11 also ensures that their agency has enough bufferstock.
“Our Bantay Presyo Team also reported that there is no significant price movement of rice in the past monitoring activities,” Gonzaga said.
Gonzaga immediately convened DA's Operations and Marketing Teams specifically personnel from Bantay Presyo to investigate and provide clarification on the issue.
Gonzaga urged the public to be alert and encouraged them to report to the authorities any illegal acts of price manipulation either hoarding, profiteering, and cartel committed by unscrupulous rice traders.
These acts are in violation of Republic Act (RA) 7581 or The Price Act, which provides for the penalty for acts of illegal price manipulation during emergency situations and like occasions.
The law says any person who commits any act of illegal price manipulation of any basic necessity or prime commodity under Section 5 hereof shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than five years nor more than fifteen years, and shall be imposed a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P2,000.
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