The Department of Agriculture has warned retailers that unjustified hikes in basic food prices will not be tolerated, potentially leading to formal complaints and investigations. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the agency will intensify price monitoring in major urban wet markets in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. This action addresses the accelerating inflation recorded in December.
On January 11, 2026, the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued warnings against unjustified price increases for essential goods such as rice, vegetables, fish, and meat. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that rules requiring traders and retailers to justify sudden price surges will be strictly enforced.
"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 supply sources could trigger further probes and charges for false information, including perjury for sworn statements.
"If they are not cooperating and the information they give is false or lacking, that becomes subject to further investigation," Tiu Laurel stated. "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."
This initiative responds to December's rising inflation, where headline inflation climbed to 1.8 percent from November's 1.5 percent, driven by higher costs of key foods. Food inflation rose to 1.2 percent, reversing November's 0.3 percent drop, due to increases in vegetables and flour products.
Tiu Laurel highlighted that recent drops in onion and rice prices illustrate the impact of enhanced 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.
Though the DA's enforcement authority is limited, Tiu Laurel stressed collaboration with other agencies to uphold anti-profiteering measures under the Price Act. He reiterated calls for expanded DA powers, with congressional bills proposing a dedicated enforcement unit akin to the Department of Trade and Industry's Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau.
