DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has warned rice dealers suspected of selling underweight bags of rice after a complaint was filed with it.
Alexander Sibuan, DA-11’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) officer, said they are currently monitoring and validating in the market areas of Talomo and Toril towns where some stores are suspected of manipulating the weight of rice per sack.
The DA-AMAD issued letters of inquiry on March 24 to store representatives who allegedly violated Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act. Sibuan said store representatives were directed to explain their side within three working days.
For administrative charges, they will be advised to close their stores and all their rice stocks will be confiscated.
For criminal charges, the violator may face jail time from five to 15 years with a penalty of PHP5,000 to PHP2 million, depending on the court’s discretion. (PNA)
PHOTO: UNDERWEIGHT. Underweight rice bags are checked by the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division officer Alexander Sibuan (left) at a store in Talomo District, Davao City, on Thursday (March 24, 2023). This came after a complaint alleging that several rice stores in Bago Gallera, Talomo District, are selling 25-kilogram bags of rice that are underweight. (Photo courtesy of DA-11)
