SIGNED–Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro signed three ordinances to help rice retailers in the city amid the imposition of price cap in the country.
Marikina mayor signs 3 ordinances to help rice retailers
MARIKINA City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro signed on Sept. 14, 2023 three ordinances that will help rice retailers affected by the price ceiling on rice.
Mayor Teodoro signed Ordinance No. 68 also known as “Ordinance Granting Relief on Rental Payments to Rice Retailers at the Marikina Public Market in the City of Marikina.”
The ordinance stipulates that Marikina City recognizes the essential role of rice retailers in ensuring the availability of affordable rice to its residents and thus, it is incumbent upon it to address the economic impact of price ceiling on rice retailers by providing relief payment on their rentals in the Marikina Public Market.
He also signed Ordinance No. 69, known as the “Ordinance Granting Relief on Business Tax Payment to Rice Retailers in the City of Marikina.”
Under this ordinance, rice retailers operating within Marikina shall be exempted from paying business taxes on their gross sales or receipts for the third and fourth quarter of this year.
Rice retailers eligible for the tax relief are those in the wet markets, public markets and other areas accessible to the general public, including sari-sari stores that are actually selling rice.
It noted that the grant of tax relief does not cover supermarkets and convenience stores.
Lastly, Mayor Teodoro signed Ordinance No. 70, entitled “Ordinance Granting Cash Assistance to Rice Retailers in the City of Marikina.”
The measure stated that the city government of Marikina recognizes that rice retailers are partners in delivering food services to the people, and that they should be protected and assisted during economic difficulties.
The duty of the city is to address the adverse economic impact of the price ceiling on rice retailers by extending financial assistance to mitigate and cushion the impact of the price cap, it added.
The ordinance further stated: “To provide immediate financial relief to rice retailers affected by the price ceiling on rice, the City Government of Marikina shall extend cash assistance in the amount of P5,000 to each eligible rice retailer.”
According to the measure, rice retailers in wet markets, public markets, and other areas accessible to the general public, including sari-sari stores that are actually selling rice, operating within Marikina as of the effective date of the ordinance are eligible to receive the cash aid.
It noted that the grant of cash assistance does not cover supermarkets and convenience stores.
After the signing of the three ordinances, Mayor Teodoro oversaw the distribution of the P15,000 financial assistance to eligible rice retailers led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to the mayor, there are 149 rice retailers registered in the City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2023 imposing a price cap on the sale of rice in the whole country.
The order, which took effect on Sept. 5, 2023, sets the price control for regular-milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45 per kilo.
