There has been a slight decrease in commercial rice prices in the province due to the arrival of imported rice which were added to the supply of private distributors, said a National Food Authority (NFA) official.

According to NFA provincial manager Ping Evasco, commercial rice prices have dropped by P2 to P4.

“Makita na man nimo na duna nay tag P42 to P46 for regular-milled. Unya ang well-milled P48 to P50. Previously, tag P50 kapin gyud na per kilo ang range based on our monitoring,” Evasco said.

The NFA meanwhile maintained the volume of rice distribution across the province as Evasco noted that the drop in commercial rice prices were not “very much significant.”

Subsidized rice varieties continued to be distributed at 80 bags per week to market outlets and 40 bags per week to barangay outlets.

“Diri sa Tagbilaran dili na kaayo [taas] ang pila. Although in some towns dunay pila tungod kay dili ingon daghan pud kaayo ang outlets,” she said.

Evasco noted that there were long lines at NFA retailer outlets when commercial rice prices soared beyond P50 per kilo.

Commercial rice prices are expected to further drop once the lower suggested retail price of rice is implemented within the week. (A. Doydora)