President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led a joint price and supply monitoring by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in San Juan City, assuring consumers that prices remain stable and supply is adequate amid global uncertainties.
The joint DA and DTI monitoring initiative aims to assess the current condition of basic commodities amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East that caused a surge in global oil prices.
During the event, President Marcos, along with DTI Secretary Cristina Roque and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, engaged with vendors and market stakeholders to gain firsthand insights on price trends and supply availability.
In a media interview following his inspection, President Marcos said the prices of basic goods and commodities at the Agora Market remain stable, adding that no price gouging has been observed.
“Nandito tayo at iniikot namin ang mga iba’t ibang palengke para tiyakin na ang presyo naman ng pagkain natin ay hindi biglang tataas (We are here, going around different market stalls to ensure that food prices don’t rise all of a sudden),” President Marcos said.
“Dito lang sa Pilipinas, normal lang muna ang ating mga presyohan at tinitiyak nga natin (Here in the Philippines, prices remain normal and that is what we can affirm).”
President Marcos also assured the public that the supply of goods remains sufficient, emphasizing that there is no need for hoarding. He issued the statement amid concerns that rising fuel prices will soon affect the costs of basic goods and services.
“Ang supply natin, maganda naman ang supply natin ng pagkain, ng bigas, lahat ng mga basic goods. Kaya ‘yung ating mga kababayan, sinasabi natin, hindi naman kailangang mag-hoarding at hindi tayo nagkukulang sa food supply,” the President said.
(Our supply is good in terms of food, rice, all the basic goods. That’s why we are telling our citizens that hoarding is not necessary because we are not falling short in our food supply.)
The President also commended vendors in San Juan for their cooperation, saying that the suggested price cap set by the DTI is being properly followed.
“Our vendors are cooperating. They are keeping the prices at normal from what we were, maybe a month ago, pareho pa rin (it’s the same). So, that’s what we need to maintain,” he said.
The Chief Executive further assured that price and supply monitoring efforts will continue to ensure price stability in the market, especially since the duration of the conflict in the Middle East remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Malacañang clarified that President Marcos has not ordered a price freeze, but said a state of emergency could be considered if basic goods prices soar amid rising oil costs.
In an interview with DZMM, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Office Claire Castro said the trade department and stakeholders are still discussing price restrictions for basic commodities.
“Pwedeng mangyari ‘yan katulad ng nangyari doon sa bagyo, lindol. Hindi pa napag-uusapan sa ngayon pero maaari magdeklara kapag nagkataon, kapag tama na ang sitwasyon. Kapag nakita naman natin na umaabuso lang,” she said.
(That could happen like what transpired during past typhoon or earthquake. It hasn’t been discussed yet, but it could be declared when the opportunity arises, when the situation is right. When we see that they are just abusing.)
Castro noted that an increase in oil prices seems unavoidable, adding that the government will look into whether adjustments to basic commodity prices are warranted. She also confirmed that a cut in fuel excise taxes would benefit the middle class and those with higher incomes.
“I-appreciate na natin kasi hindi pwedeng mamili lang tayo. Pati ‘yung middle class, pati ‘yung nakakaangat sa buhay kailangan din nila ng tulong sa gobyerno (Let’s appreciate it because we can’t just be selective. Even the middle class, those who are well-off, they also need help from the government),” she added.
