No need to hoard as food supply remains adequate, says PBBM

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

SUFFICIENT SUPPLY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) inspects Agora Market in San Juan City and assures the public that food supply remains sufficient, urging Filipinos not to hoard despite global uncertainties. Marcos said government agencies continue monitoring prices and supply of basic goods to keep markets stable and protect livelihoods. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said there is no need for hoarding despite uncertainties caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, assuring the public that the country’s food supply remains sufficient.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting Agora Market in San Juan City, Marcos said the government continues to monitor the situation to ensure that supply and prices of basic commodities remain stable.

Marcos said concerned agencies have been visiting public markets to check on the prices of goods and ensure that vendors comply with government guidelines.

“Sa Pilipinas, normal na muna ang ating mga presyuhan. Ang supply natin, maganda naman ang supply natin ng pagkain, ng bigas, lahat ng mga basic goods (In the Philippines, prices remain normal for now. Our supply of food, rice, and all basic goods is good),” he said.

“Kaya’t ‘yung ating mga kababayan, sinasabi natin hindi naman kailangan mag-hoarding. Hindi tayo nagkukulang sa food supply (That’s why for our fellow countrymen, there is no need to hoard. We are not lacking in food supply),” Marcos added.

Marcos noted that price caps and suggested retail prices are being followed in many markets.

He added that the Department of Agriculture continued to ensure adequate supply of key commodities.

“Itong pagpunta namin dito para tiyakin na ang presyo na ating binigay sa ating mga public vendor ay talagang sinusundan (We visit here to ensure that vendors are complying with the prescribed commodity prices),” Marcos said.

Marcos said “everything is normal,” promising that the government would continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that it remains manageable amid the crisis.

He expressed confidence that cooperation among stakeholders would help the country overcome current challenges.

“We’ll just keep working to make sure that it stays that way para naman ‘yung kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan ay hindi maapektuhan (so that the livelihoods of our fellow citizens are not affected),” Marcos said.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said there is sufficient stock of basic necessities in supermarkets and grocery stores.

She added that her office would hold meetings with stakeholders every two weeks to monitor the situation and discuss developments.

“Yes, compliance is really good. Actually, I just had a meeting with the manufacturers in the industries and they assured that no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities for the next 30 days,” Roque said, but admitted that it remains uncertain if there will be price increases after 30 days due to ongoing global crisis.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA has not monitored any spike in the prices of agricultural commodities for now.

Tiu Laurel, however, acknowledged a shortage may occur in the coming months.

“But when the lean season comes and the fuel prices go up, our fishermen won’t be able to fish, if the fuel prices go up by May or June. There might be shortage,” he said.

“If our fishermen won’t be able to fish because of the high fuel prices, and they will just get lost, the solution there is again, unfortunately, importation, if we can get supplies.”

He added that sourcing imports may also be difficult, noting that other countries could face similar challenges.

“So, the alternative there is aquaculture, our tilapia, our bangus. So, that’s probably our trick to push our aquaculture industry to seed more fingerlings this summer so that hopefully by that time, in May or June, we have ample supply of alternative seafoods,” Tiu Laurel said.