MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the government is implementing measures to keep the prices of food and essential goods stable following a series of calamities that recently hit the country.

In a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration is employing a whole-of-government approach to maintain price stability and ensure food security.

“Sa gitna ng sunud-sunod na sakuna na naitala sa bansa, sinisiguro ngayon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa publiko ang pagkakaroon ng mga hakbang na makakatulong sa pagpapatibay sa presyo ng mga bilihin sa bansa,” Castro said.

Castro said President Marcos has directed government agencies to extend assistance to calamity-affected farmers to facilitate early recovery and protect the country’s food supply.

“Sa gitna ng sama ng panahon, nagsagawa ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ng mga iba’t ibang intervention para maprotektahan ang purchasing power at livelihood ng mga residenteng apektado ng mga sakuna,” she added.

Citing Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, Castro said relief and rehabilitation programs are ongoing, particularly for affected farmers.

“Dagdag ng Kalihim na makakaasa ang taumbayan na nakaagapay ang pamahalaan sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang masiguro na abot-kaya ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin lalo na sa lubos na nangangailangan,” Castro said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), meanwhile, has imposed a price freeze on basic commodities in disaster-affected communities to prevent sudden price hikes and supply shortages.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also provided immediate assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, including rice stock distribution from the National Food Authority (NFA), access to the quick response fund (QRF) for rehabilitation, and indemnification for insured farmers.

Around one million rice farmers are expected to receive ₱7,000 each in assistance under the 2026 national budget to compensate for income losses caused by declining palay prices.

To ensure energy stability, Castro said the Department of Energy (DOE) will auction at least 100 megawatts of renewable energy capacity under the open and competitive selection process for local and foreign developers.