The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced plans to assist law enforcement and regulatory authorities in curbing market manipulation, artificial price hikes, and the illegal stockpiling of farm produce. The move comes as bad weather continues to impact agricultural output and supply chains across several regions.
According to initial reports from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), agricultural losses linked to continuous downpours have topped ₱347 million, with damages projected to rise further as forecasters predict ongoing southwest monsoon rains.
To safeguard consumers, PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that police units will partner with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and local government units (LGUs) to ensure market stability during the recovery period.
“The Philippine National Police will maintain a strict zero-tolerance stance against unscrupulous people attempting to illegally bloat commodity prices,” Nartatez said.
He noted that regional and local police stations are instructed to act swiftly on reports regarding price gouging, unfair trade practices, and illegal hoarding.
Despite the localized destruction, the Department of Agriculture reassures the public that standard retail prices for staple food goods are expected to stay relatively stable.
Data from the DA indicates that approximately 4,500 metric tons of produce were lost due to the combined impact of the southwest monsoon (habagat) alongside Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay. Officials noted that this volume remains minimal when measured against the country’s average annual agricultural output of roughly 20 million metric tons.
The DA’s internal damage breakdown estimates overall agricultural sector losses at ₱197 million. Rice crops suffered the heaviest impact at ₱143 million, while vegetable production sustained roughly ₱30 million in damages, and irrigation infrastructure incurred ₱15.8 million in destruction. In total, approximately 6,700 hectares of farmland were affected, including 5,700 hectares that experienced partial damage.
PNP leadership appealed directly to commercial vendors and wholesalers to refrain from taking advantage of weather-induced disruptions.
“We call on traders and sellers to keep their prices fair and reasonable as communities recover. Do not exploit the situation of our people who are already affected by the weather disturbances,” Nartatez said.
The police chief also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected market violations to local authorities.
“We urge the public to report suspected overpricing or other irregularities to authorities so these can be properly addressed,” Nartatez said.