RICE PRICES. The prices of rice commodities sold at the Dampas Central Public Market of which based on the
latest price monitoring conducted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed the most significant price
increases, with well-milled rice increasing by 29 percent and regular-milled rice by 28 percent since February 28
when the war in the Middle East started
The Boholano public has no reason to worry or resort to panic buying, especially when it comes to rice, as the
province still has sufficient supply that could last for the next two months. Moreover, the current month and the
following month mark the peak harvesting season, according to Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog.
Quirog said that provincial government officials, together with other agriculture-related agencies, are working to
ensure a steady supply of food despite the escalating prices of commodities brought about by the ongoing war in the
Middle East.
However, she encouraged Boholanos to conserve rice consumption and urged rice farmers not to sell their
produce to traders who intend to export it to other provinces.
She emphasized that if local rice traders refrain from exporting rice outside the province, a stable supply of rice
can be secured for a longer period.
Quirog explained that although some of the 47,000 hectares of planted rice areas in Bohol have been affected by
diseases, the harvest yields will still contribute to the province’s current rice stock.
Given the current global situation, where petroleum prices in the world market continue to rise due to the war,
countries that supply rice to the Philippines may prioritize their own consumption and temporarily stop exporting
their rice products.
She recalled that in the past, local rice production was not given much importance because consumers could buy
imported rice at cheaper prices compared to locally produced rice.
Quirog said that now is the time to recognize the importance of food security and the role of local production in
supporting the province’s needs during times of crisis.
She also encouraged Boholanos to engage in farming and plant early-maturing root crops and vegetables such as
sweet potato, pechay, lettuce, beans, and carrots, among others, to help stabilize supplies and lower prices.
Based on the latest price monitoring conducted by her office and reported to the Provincial Price Coordinating
Council, most lowland vegetables showed declining or stable prices, suggesting an adequate supply in the market
during the monitoring period. However, vegetables such as squash and tomato experienced moderate price increases.
These developments are attributed to the strong support and interventions of the provincial government for
vegetable growers in the corridor vegetable areas of the province, particularly in Guindulman, Jagna, Duero, and
Sierra Bullones.
However, rice commodities recorded the most significant price increases, with well-milled rice increasing by 29
percent and regular-milled rice by 28 percent, while corn grits remained relatively stable with moderate fluctuations
of about 4 percent.
In the fisheries sector, small pelagic fish such as galunggong and tamarong showed the most significant price
increases. Meanwhile, tilapia and shrimp remained stable, while bangus and tulingan experienced moderate price
decreases.
For root crops, the data indicated a generally stable trend, reflecting improved supply availability and balanced
market demand.
For spices, the data showed moderate price increases for ginger and sili espada, stable pricing for native garlic,
and a decline in red onion prices, suggesting varying supply and demand conditions in the spice market.
Meanwhile, fruit prices were generally stable, with only Latundan bananas showing a noticeable price decline,
while other fruit commodities maintained consistent prices during the monitoring period. By Atoy Cosap