By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday assured the public of continuous efforts to curb inflation in the Philippines.
This comes as food inflation accelerated to 6.8 percent in September, higher than 4.6 percent recorded in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The agency cited weather-related supply disruptions and higher logistics costs due to oil price spikes as reasons behind faster food price increases.
In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said efforts are now in place to ensure stable food supply and support local production.
“We are setting aside PHP45 billion for our El Niño response, with PHP6.2 billion already released, because we need to make sure that food supply remains stable and prices do not spiral whenever climate challenges hit our farmers and fisherfolk,” Tiu Laurel said.
In terms of supply, the agriculture chief said that the Philippines has a “very healthy” staple inventory.
“We are ready for El Niño as far as pork, chicken, and rice is concerned,” Tiu Laurel said in a separate press briefing on Monday.
In particular, he said the country has rice stock inventory good for 75 days, as well as pork and chicken supply good for 150 days.
“So apat na buwan iyon halos. Sa manok, ganun din, 150 days din ang ating stock sa manok. So very healthy ang situation natin sa manok at sa baboy (So, that’s good for four months. For chicken, it’s the same, 150-day stock for chicken. So our chicken and pork situation is very healthy), in terms of stock levels,” Tiu Laurel said.
*Horticulture, urban agriculture*
Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, urged stakeholders from horticulture and urban agriculture to advance “workable solutions” which will help ensure food security despite the pressing threat of climate change.
He made the call during the opening ceremony of the Pagsibol 2026: Philippine Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Summit at the Manila Prince Hotel in Ermita, Manila.
“As we face climate change, resource constraints, urbanization, and changing food and market demands, horticulture and urban agriculture are essential—not only to food security, but to livelihoods, healthier communities, environmental sustainability, and resilient economies,” Tiu Laurel said in a separate news release.
These solutions must not only appear impressive in laboratories but also be workable and efficient for the people on the ground, the agriculture chief added.
“Its real test is whether it works in a farmer’s field, on a city rooftop, in a community garden, or in an enterprise.”
The Pagsibol 2026, graced by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, was attended by foreign dignitaries, academe and other stakeholders.
The summit runs from Oct. 6 to 8, to be followed by a tour of Agrilink 2026 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Oct. 9.
*Farm-to-market roads across Luzon*
To further enhance connectivity between food production areas and local markets, the DA also partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the PHP9.06 billion worth of farm-to-market roads across Luzon.
“Improved connectivity can help increase farmers’ incomes while reducing the cost of transporting farm inputs to production areas and agricultural products to consumers,” Tiu Laurel said in a separate statement.
Overall, the signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) covers FMR projects with a combined length of 604 kilometers.
These include FMR programs in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
These projects will be implemented across 26 provinces in Luzon.
*Agri losses in 7 regions due to El Niño now over P5B*
Meanwhile, Agricultural damage from the ongoing El Niño phenomenon has reached nearly PHP5.6 billion, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Citing report as of Monday, the disaster response agency said areas hit by the dry spell include the Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
Affected farmers and fisherfolk were estimated to be around 201,322, while affected crop area was placed at around 223,497.72 hectares.
The NDRRMC said that about 180,770.15 hectares of the affected crop area was classified as partially damaged and had a chance of recovery while 41,164.57 hectares were tagged as totally damaged.
