Good News! Metro Manila rice prices reduced

From tempo.com.ph: (July 2, 2014)

An organization of rice retailers has agreed to reduce rice prices by P2 per kilogram in Metro Manila markets, the National Food Authority (NFA) said yesterday.

Rice retailer-members of the Alliance of Filipino Farmers and Rice Retailers Associations (AFFRA), composed of farmer organizations and rice retailers’ associations nationwide, have agreed to bring down their rice selling price from P41 to P39 per kilogram effective immediately in eight major markets in Metro Manila, namely Muntinlupa, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, Las Piñas, and Makati.

NFA received a copy of the AFFRA Resolution after its leaders, headed by Danilo Garcia, met with Secretary Francis Pangilinan, Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, and newly-appointed NFA Administrator Arthur Juan.

Garcia, a rice retailer, said they agreed to reduce their rice selling prices in order to help ease the financial burden on consumers.

The NFA, meanwhile, assured the public that it will continue to distribute quality regular-milled rice at P27 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P32 per kilogram in all markets nationwide.

AFFRA officers stated in their resolution that despite government’s efforts, commercial rice prices increased mainly because of the off-harvest or lean season for the staple and also as an offshoot of the high palay buying price by traders that impact on the price of rice for the end-consumers. (E. B. De Vera)