DA assures stable supply, prices of basic goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured that the supply and prices of basic commodities, including rice and corn, will remain stable in the coming months.

“As of now, supply and price situations are very stable, practically for all commodities,” said Romeo Recide, director of the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Recide said the timely intervention measures are mitigating the impact of the El Niño-spawned drought, while early preparations for La Niña in the second half of the year has kept the supply of food adequate and prices within the reach of low-income consumers.

The drought in the first half, according to Bureau of Plant Industry director Larry Lacson, has actually been good for the vegetable sector, allowing staples such as onions and garlic to dry well, resulting in low prices and staving off importations.

Recide said the DA is already preparing for the possible heavy rains that could be ushered in by La Niña which, in turn, could disrupt supply and affect production in the second semester of the year.