March 12, 2026
MANILA – Trade Secretary Cristina Roque on Wednesday sought to allay fears that escalating conflict in the Middle East would disrupt the country’s supply of basic goods, saying manufacturers have inventories that could last for at least two months.
“We are in close coordination with the manufacturers and retailers,” Roque said at a joint Senate committee hearing on the suspension of excise taxes. “They have informed us that they have inventory that will last for the next two months.”
Basic necessities include bread, canned fish, water, milk, toilet soap and batteries.
Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry would intensify price monitoring to ensure retailers keep prices “reasonable” amid the crisis. She said the agency would mobilize its 18 regional offices to closely monitor prices at supermarkets and other retail outlets.
Additionally, the National Price Coordinating Council is set to meet on March 13 to discuss measures to help cushion the impact of the conflict.
Roque warned retailers against exploiting the situation to raise prices.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute the profiteers,” she said. /dda