Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday announced that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to file cases against individuals responsible for the 'unjustified' price hikes of agricultural food commodities. Tiu Laurel emphasized that the DA will enhance market monitoring and enforce stricter measures in urban centers like Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Davao to ensure fair and stable market prices.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel stated, "I want cases filed. Sometimes, you need to create a paper trail. It's a deterrent." The DA has already issued show-cause orders, and Tiu Laurel expects summaries of explanations from agricultural traders and retailers to determine the appropriate cases to file. Those involved in the sharp price increases of essential commodities like rice, vegetables, meat, and fish will be required to provide justifications.
Non-cooperative traders and retailers will face formal complaints and further investigations in collaboration with law enforcement. Providing incomplete or misleading information, particularly about pricing and supply sources, may result in charges of false information. "If they are not cooperating and the information they give is false or lacking, that becomes subject to further investigation. The mere fact that the police are asking questions already makes a difference," Tiu Laurel remarked.
Potential charges include profiteering and other violations under the Price Act, as well as perjury if false statements are made during investigations. "When someone lies during an investigation, that's already a case. That's where accountability comes in," added Tiu Laurel.
In a related development, the DA is preparing to expand the PHP20 per kilogram rice initiative under the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' program in Lingayen, Pangasinan, next week. "By strengthening government procurement, we reduce farmers' dependence on middlemen and give them a more reliable market," Tiu Laurel explained in a separate briefing.
The National Food Authority has secured 2.2 million 50-kilo bags of freshly milled rice for the initial rollout, in addition to 700,000 bags of older stocks. The current national rice buffer stock stands at 451,886 metric tons, or approximately 9.04 million bags, sufficient for nearly 12 days.
The DA plans to expand the BBM Na program to other areas, including Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Mindoro, Palawan, Bohol, Zamboanga City, and Davao City, before the end of January. These regions were chosen based on either the volume of palay production or high consumer demand.
