Baguio’s Rice Retailers: A Steady Hand Amidst Rising Fuel Costs

Are you worried about the ripple effects of increasing fuel prices on your daily essentials? Baguio City residents can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to their staple food: rice. The local market rice retailers’ association has made a strong commitment to cushion the impact of the oil crisis, ensuring both stable supply and reasonable prices.

John Paul Peralta, spokesperson for the Baguio City market rice retailers’ association, shared their proactive strategy. “If we get a good price and we hear that it will increase, we also purchase more so that we have stocks at old prices and we don’t increase our prices as soon as gas prices increase. This will also ensure that we have supplies to sell to the residents of Baguio,” Peralta explained. This forward-thinking approach means retailers are buying more stock when prices are lower, thereby delaying immediate price hikes for consumers.

Many retailers are even going the extra mile, selling at break-even prices or with minimal profit margins, rather than their usual markup. This collective effort is a testament to their dedication to the community.

Government Support and Monitoring

The retailers also acknowledge the significant help from government initiatives. Peralta lauded the government’s P20 per kilo rice program, calling it a “big deal” for vulnerable families, despite its limited scope. Moreover, personnel from the Department of Agriculture conduct daily price and quality checks at the market. “They come in the morning, sometimes just them (DA) sometimes with the POSD (Public Order and Safety Division). They watch us to make sure that there is no overpricing,” Peralta added, reassuring consumers that fair practices are being maintained.

Current Rice Price Overview:

Since February 28, 25-kilogram bags of rice have seen increases ranging from P100 to P300.
Regular milled rice: P46 to P52 per kilo
Well-milled rice: P54 to P58 per kilo
Imported rice: P60 to P65 per kilo

Most of the local rice sold in Baguio comes from the fertile regions of Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Pangasinan.

Broader Crisis Response: Supporting Our Jeepney Drivers

The city’s efforts to mitigate the crisis extend beyond just rice. On Wednesday, March 25, 1,912 jeepney drivers received a P5,000 fuel subsidy each from the city government. Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed his gratitude, requesting drivers to adjust their trip schedules to accommodate passengers who have been facing long lines due to a shortage of jeepneys, especially at night. He urged various jeepney associations to organize night trips to ensure public transportation availability.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Liza Bulayungan confirmed that a total of P9.8 million was released for this assistance, sourced from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. The distribution, which required drivers’ licenses, residency certificates, association certifications, and an interview, continued until Saturday, March 28.

Mayor Magalong has directed local government offices to continuously seek ways to assist all sectors affected by the ongoing crisis. He anticipates that the global economy will take approximately three to six months to recover after the conflict ends, emphasizing, “Therefore, any opportunities that can be used to reduce the effects of the crisis on people’s lives should be examined and utilized if possible.”

These combined efforts from retailers, government bodies, and the community highlight Baguio City’s resilience and commitment to supporting its residents through challenging times.

Source: Original Article