Rice inflation in the Philippines surged to 13.7% in April 2026, marking a sharp increase from 3.5% in March and emerging as one of the key drivers of rising consumer prices, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The spike has raised concerns over possible price manipulation, prompting Senator Francis Pangilinan to call for an investigation into alleged profiteering and hoarding in the rice market.
Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, urged authorities to go after abusive traders, saying the surge in rice prices may not be fully justified.
“Nakakaalarma ang ganitong kataas na inflation rate at rice inflation rate dahil direkta ang epekto nito sa ating mga mamimili, mga mangingisda, at magsasaka. Isa na naman itong dagok sa araw-araw na kahirapan na dinadanas ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Dapat tingnan maigi ng gobyerno kung paano at saan nagmula ang mataas ng rice inflation dahil sinabi mismo ng DA (Department of Agriculture) na meron tayong sapat na supply ng bigas hanggang Hunyo,” he added.
The senator also pointed to the broader impact of rising food prices on Filipino households, particularly those already struggling with daily expenses.
Crestita Edquila, a 50-year-old resident of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, said higher prices have significantly reduced her family’s purchasing power.
“Sobrang taas (ng presyo). Nahihilo ako sa taas ng presyo,” she said when asked about her recent food purchase. “Matagal na nating alam na mataas ang inflation.”
She recalled that a P2,000 budget could cover a week’s worth of food from 2023 to 2024, but now P3,500 is barely enough for the same period.
Pangilinan said the situation highlights the need to stabilize food supply and reduce reliance on imports, especially as global factors such as tensions in the Middle East continue to affect food and fuel costs.
He reiterated the importance of strengthening local agriculture through increased investment, subsidies, access to affordable credit, and improved farm-to-market infrastructure.
The lawmaker also cited the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, which allows national and local governments to directly procure food from farmers and fisherfolk, expanding market access for local producers.
“Ang solusyon sa inflation ay hindi lamang nakadepende sa pagkontrol sa presyo ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan. Higit sa lahat, dapat natin palakasin ang lokal na produksyon ng pagkain at siguraduhin na may sapat na suporta para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na may pangunahing papel sa seguridad sa pagkain,” Pangilinan said.
He also called on government agencies to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent hoarding and price manipulation, and to ensure that assistance programs reach those most affected.
Pangilinan is also pushing for reforms in the agriculture sector, including the renationalization of agricultural extension services and the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives.