The Department of Agriculture (DA) will increase its monitoring of food prices in wet markets this year, especially in major cities, to help keep prices fair and stable, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Tiu Laurel warned retailers and traders that unjustified price increases will not be tolerated. He said the DA will strictly enforce rules requiring sellers to explain sudden price hikes for basic food items such as rice, vegetables, fish, and meat.
Retailers who fail to cooperate or give incomplete or misleading information may face formal complaints and further investigation, in coordination with other enforcement agencies. Tiu Laurel said some show-cause orders have already been issued, and the DA is preparing possible cases as a deterrent against price manipulation.
He added that giving false information during investigations could lead to more serious charges, including perjury for statements made under oath.
While acknowledging the DA’s limited enforcement powers, Tiu Laurel said the agency is working closely with other authorities and is pushing for new legislation that would give the DA stronger enforcement capabilities, similar to the Department of Trade and Industry’s enforcement unit.
For now, the DA will focus its stricter price monitoring on major urban centers such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, where price increases have the biggest impact on consumers.
Tiu Laurel cited the recent drop in onion and rice prices as proof that tighter monitoring works, saying continued oversight is needed to protect consumers and ensure fair trade.
