An allocation of over P2 billion for high-value crops under the 2026 national budget is expected to help stabilize the supply of “siling labuyo” (small chili pepper) and other high-value crops and address recurring price spikes, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.
In a statement, Pangilinan said the surge in chili prices—with siling labuyo reportedly reaching as high as P1,000 per kilo—is largely due to supply constraints during the rainy season.
“Basic kasi: Pag maulan, konti ang suplay, kaya mataas ang presyo (It’s basic: during rainy season supply becomes limited, which is why prices go up),” he said.
Pangilinan said the allocation backs Department of Agriculture (DA) measures to curb price volatility.
Citing the volatile price of sili during the rainy season, the DA earlier pushed a plan to ramp up production, harden farms against extreme weather, and bring more predictability to supply and prices of this popular Filipino kitchen staple.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. pressed DA officials in a recent meeting to establish baseline numbers for national and Metro Manila consumption, current output, and average yield per hectare.
In a statement, the Agriculture department said chili pepper prices routinely jump when heavy rains and typhoons damage crops, disrupting supply just as demand holds firm.
Pangilinan said these interventions include expanding planting areas beyond traditional producing regions such as Bicol, protecting crops from weather disruptions through greenhouses and proper storage facilities, and improving the timing of planting and harvesting.
“Suportado natin ang mga solusyon ng DA — magtanim sa mas maraming lugar, gumamit ng greenhouse at tamang imbakan, at i-timing ang pagtatanim at pag-aani,” he said.
“We support DA’s solutions — plant in more areas, use greenhouses and proper storage, and properly time planting and harvesting.”
Pangilinan said a more deliberate approach to planning in seeds, infrastructure and crop programming, coupled with regular public updates on supply and prices, would help temper volatile food costs and protect consumers.
