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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP provides support in running after profiteers amid agricultural losses due to habagat

PNP provides support in running after profiteers amid agricultural losses due to habagat

Published Aug 13, 2026 02:41 pm
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will provide assistance in running after those who would engage in overpricing, hoarding, and profiteering from agricultural products as the weather disturbances continue to affect agricultural production and supply in several areas.
The Office of Civil Defense earlier revealed that the damage to agriculture due to continuous heavy rains already reached over P347 million and the figure is expected to increase as weather experts said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring more rains.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police units will coordinate with concerned government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as well as local government units (LGUs), to ensure that weather-related disruptions are not used as an opportunity to unreasonably increase the prices of agricultural products.
“The Philippine National Police will maintain a strict zero-tolerance stance against unscrupulous people attempting to illegally bloat commodity prices,” said Nartatez.
Our local police units will coordinate with concerned government agencies in dealing with reports of overpricing, hoarding, and profiteering,” he added.
The DA earlier said it does not expect major price movements in agricultural commodities despite the damage caused by the recent weather disturbances.
Around 4,500 metric tons of produce were lost due to the combined effects of habagat, Luis, and Maymay, which the agriculture department said was relatively small compared with the country's annual agricultural production of about 20 million metric tons.
“We call on traders and sellers to keep their prices fair and reasonable as communities recover. Do not exploit the situation of our people who are already affected by the weather disturbances,” Nartatez said.
The DA estimated total agricultural damage at P197 million, with rice accounting for P143 million of the losses while vegetables sustained about P30 million in damage. Irrigation facilities also suffered an estimated P15.8 million in damage.
About 6,700 hectares of agricultural land were also affected, including some 5,700 hectares that sustained partial damage.
“We urge the public to report suspected overpricing or other irregularities to authorities so these can be properly addressed,” Nartatez said.

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