Several rice farmer associations from six regions in the country have expressed support for Executive Order (EO) 39, which imposes a price ceiling on regular milled and well-milled rice amid the recent surge in rice prices despite ample supply in the domestic market.

Representatives of the farmer organizations – Tabano Omani Livelihood Project Organization from the Cordillera region; Aramal Tocok FFF MPC from the Ilocos Region; San Roque Gulad Farmers Association, Inc.; Calaocan Paraiso Agriculture Cooperative; Motrico Farmers Agriculture Cooperative; Camillas FFS Agriculture Cooperative from Central Luzon; Salcedo Irrigators & Farmers Agriculture from Mimaropa; and other groups from Cagayan Valley and Bicol regions – acknowledged the efforts of the Marcos administration to look after their welfare.

“We are supporting the EO signed by our President. All Filipinos will benefit from it (price ceiling),” Joel Domingo, who is from Tarlac and is a member of the Motrico Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, said during a meeting of farmer group leaders in a hotel in Manila on Wednesday.

Domingo also asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide additional farmers’ inputs.

Rocky Gutierrez of the Camillas FFS Agriculture Cooperative likewise expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to issue EO 39, which set the price cap of PHP41 per kg. for regular milled rice and PHP45 per kg. for well-milled rice.

“We see the compassion of the President, and we thank him for this. It’s a big help and support to all of us farmers,” he said.

Another rice farmer Saturnino Distor of the Aramal Tocok FFF MPC said he believes that many Filipinos would benefit from EO 39.

The farmers assured a sufficient supply of rice until the end of the year as harvest season starts next month.

EO 39 serves as the strongest weapon to date of the Marcos administration to protect consumers against hoarders, rice cartels, and illegal price manipulators.

It mandates a coordinated effort among various agencies to ensure the strict implementation of the mandated price ceilings; intensifies the fight against hoarding and the illegal importation of rice; and takes measures against cartels to ensure fair market competition and uphold consumer welfare and protection.

At present, the Department of Trade and Industry and DA are compiling a list of the affected rice traders and retailers who will receive a maximum of PHP15,000 in assistance from the government. (PNA)