DA to include typhoon-resistant infrastructure to reduce prices

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January 5, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is introducing typhoon-resistant farm infrastructure as part of its strategy to stabilize chili pepper prices, which often surge when heavy rains and storms damage crops.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move is part of a broader effort to stabilize supply and make chili production more predictable amid the Philippines’ volatile weather.

Chili prices often surge during the rainy season, with local siling labuyo reaching as high as P800 per kilo in September due to crop damage.

The DA plans to use greenhouses built with local materials and structures designed to withstand strong storms, aiming to safeguard crops from floods and prolonged rainfall.

The department is also establishing baseline figures on national and Metro Manila chili consumption, current output and average yield per hectare.

“We need to know how much we consume, how much we produce and where the gaps are,” Tiu Laurel said. These data will guide how many hectares should be planted and how fast production can scale.

The DA stressed that chili peppers are not confined to traditional growing areas like Bicol and can be cultivated in most parts of the country, widening the pool of potential growers under the DA’s High Value Crops program.

For 2026, chili is a priority crop alongside munggo or mung beans, with the former focused on lowering prices and the latter on reducing imports.

The department will also expand access to clean planting materials such as siling labuyo, siling pansigang and grafted bell peppers through its Gulayan sa Bayan program, which aims to strengthen agri-entrepreneurship in 1,370 municipalities.

Bell pepper prices have hovered around P250 per kilo, while munggo prices continue to fluctuate, underscoring the sensitivity of food markets to supply shocks and import dependence.

Tiu Laurel said stabilizing chili output could benefit restaurants, food processors and retailers, particularly during peak demand periods like holidays.

To maintain transparency, the DA has ordered weekly public updates on prices and supply starting this month, using articles and short-form videos.