President Bongbong Marcos assured the public that the country’s food supply remains stable despite ongoing global disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, as he moved to ease concerns over availability and rising prices of basic goods.
Speaking during a visit to a distribution facility of Century Pacific Food Inc. in Calamba, Laguna, Marcos said there is no need for the public to worry about supply. “Ang suplay ay hindi kailangang mag-alala ang taong-bayan. Ang food supply natin ay sapat kahit na pangmatagalan,” he said.
He also said manufacturers have committed to keeping prices of basic necessities and prime commodities steady for at least the next 30 days. “Sila naman ay pumapayag na keep the prices na hindi tataas ang presyo hangga’t kaya nila, kaya’t siguro mga isang buwan, ’yung iba baka dalawang buwan, hindi magagalaw ’yung presyo,” he said.
Marcos said the government will continue monitoring market conditions and thanked the private sector for its cooperation in maintaining supply and price stability.
Century Pacific Food Inc. said its inventory across supermarkets, distributors, warehouses, and raw materials can last up to 45 days on average, adding that it has expanded the number of suppliers it works with on a global scale.
Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque said inspections of groceries and manufacturing plants show there is enough supply to last at least 30 days. She added that there have been no reports of hoarding or profiteering and that monitoring is being conducted daily.
“But at least, for now, the manufacturers that have products in the basic necessities and prime commodities have assured us that there will be no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities for the next 30 days. ’Yung ibang produkto po meron tayong hanggang 60 days,” Aldeguer-Roque said.
She said updates will continue to be provided as the situation develops and encouraged consumers to monitor prices and report any irregularities through official channels.
