DA cracks down on unfair food price hikes

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January 11, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture has warned retailers that unjustified hikes in basic food prices will not be tolerated, noting that noncompliance may prompt formal complaints and further investigation.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA will strengthen monitoring of prices in major urban wet markets, particularly in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, where price spikes most affect consumers.

The department will strictly enforce rules requiring traders and retailers to explain sudden increases in the prices of basic agricultural products, including rice, vegetables, fish and meat.

“We have already issued show-cause orders. I want the summaries of their explanations submitted to me so we can study what cases to file. I want cases filed,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that incomplete or misleading reports on pricing and sources of supply could lead to further investigation and possible charges for providing false information, including perjury for statements made under oath.

“If they are not cooperating and the information they give is false or lacking, that becomes subject to further investigation,” Tiu Laurel said. “The mere fact that the police are asking questions already makes a difference. We are not talking about arrests, but calling them in to explain where their goods really come from.”

The move comes amid faster inflation last month. In December, headline inflation accelerated to 1.8 percent from November’s 1.5 percent due to higher prices of key food items, while food inflation rose to 1.2 percent, reversing November’s 0.3 percent decline, as prices of vegetables and flour products increased.

Tiu Laurel noted that the recent decline in onion and rice prices demonstrates the effect of stricter oversight.

“Prices have gone down – from P300 to P200 a kilo, and now even lower in some areas. Clearly, there is an effect when there is monitoring and pressure. We just have to keep at it to protect consumers and ensure fair trade,” he said.

Although the DA has limited enforcement powers, Tiu Laurel emphasized close coordination with other agencies to implement rules against profiteering and other prohibited acts under the Price Act.

He also renewed his call for stronger DA enforcement powers, noting that proposed legislation in Congress aims to establish a dedicated enforcement arm similar to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau.