House panel urges convening of anti-agri sabotage council

A House panel is pushing for the immediate convening of the multi-agency council overseeing the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act to prevent price manipulation by cartels and smugglers before the rice harvest season.

Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, chair of the House committee on agriculture and food, expressed concern that weak enforcement of Republic Act No. 12022 could trigger another rice price spike.

He warned that unscrupulous traders might exploit the upcoming harvest season to artificially inflate farmgate prices.

Enverga stated, "The law is clear: we will not allow the exploitation of farmers and consumers. If there are businessmen who manipulate the price, they must be caught immediately and prosecuted."

RA 12022, enacted in September 2024, imposes severe penalties for agricultural economic sabotage and established a national council headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to implement the law.