The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO8), along with the Regional Price Coordinating Council (RPCC), bolstered its monitoring efforts on the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 118 by conducting unannounced inspections and brief information dissemination among rice retailers at the Tacloban City Public Market on June 1, 2026.
The monitoring activity was led by DA RFO 8 Regional Executive Director (RED) Rodel G. Macapañas, who personally engaged rice vendors to ensure their understanding and compliance with the executive order, which imposes a ₱50-per-kilogram price ceiling on selected imported rice classified as 5% broken.
During the market visit, Macapañas elucidated the key provisions of EO 118, including the rice brands covered by the mandated ceiling price and the corresponding penalties for non-compliance under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act.
The initiative forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to keep rice prices affordable and protect consumers from excessive pricing amid prevailing market conditions.
Dir. Macapañas underscored the importance of cooperation among retailers, government agencies, and consumers in ensuring the successful implementation of the policy.
“𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴,” Dir. Macapañas said.
EO 118, which took effect on May 13, 2026, sets a maximum retail price of ₱50 per kilogram for identified imported rice varieties and will remain effective for 30 days unless earlier revoked or amended upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).
The RPCC, composed of representatives from the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local government units (LGU), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other concerned agencies, is tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcing the provisions of the order.
Authorities reminded retailers that violations of the price ceiling may result in administrative sanctions, including fines, permit suspension or revocation, product confiscation, and closure of establishments. Criminal liabilities, including imprisonment and monetary penalties, may also be imposed pursuant to the Price Act.
DA 8 reiterated that it will sustain its monitoring and enforcement activities to deter price manipulation, overpricing, and other market abuses, reinforcing the government’s commitment to keeping rice affordable and accessible for consumers throughout the region.
The DA also encourages the consuming public in eastern Visayas to take part in the monitoring of prices on rice, and to report any untoward price changes in their local markets to appropriate authorities.