MANILA – A caravan under the “Rice on Wheels for Retailers Program” delivered today sacks of rice to be sold by local retailers in different parts of the Metro, specifically in Pasig City, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City, Paranaque City and Marikina City, bringing the total sacks of well-milled rice sold by retailers to 1,371 since its launching last week.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the program is part of its efforts in implementing Executive Order No. 39 to ensure the availability of regular and well-milled rice that are within the price ceiling set by E.O. No. 39.

Under E.O. 39 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is PHP 41.00 per kilogram, while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is PHP 45.00 per kilogram.

“This program specifically targets retailers in public markets to enable them to source out cheaper rice,” the DTI said in a statement.

The DTI added that the kick-off was held simultaneously in four areas. These are in Quezon City, Paranaque City, City of Manila, and Makati City last Friday.

This was followed by a caravan held last 9 September 2023 in Bicutan, Paranaque City and in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

DTI implemented the program in collaboration with Bulacan rice millers and traders and has committed to provide 30,000 sacks of rice as the program is set to continue in the coming weeks in other areas.