By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reassured the public that there is an ample supply of necessities and prime agricultural goods in local markets.
This assurance follows a special visit by the DA to the Commonwealth Market, in Quezon City.
“Based on the price monitoring at the Commonwealth, retail prices of most agricultural commodities increased compared to last month’s prices in the wake of the holiday festivities,” stated the DA.
“However, today’s prevailing retail prices showed zero to minimal movement from that of the previous week, thus confirming sufficient supply,” it added.
With the anticipated arrival of 495,000 metric tons of imported basic food from Taiwan and India until February 2024, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa previously assured that there would be an adequate supply of rice.
“That is the hope of all our countrymen — for the retail price of rice to go down. However, we have continuous challenges, such as the El Niño phenomenon, which can affect the areas planted with palay,” said De Mesa.
(IAmigo/MNM)
