In accordance with the enactment of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA RFO 02), through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted an Orientation on the Daily Price Index (DPI) on April 29, 2025, at the Organic Conference Hall, DA RFO 02, Tuguegarao City.
The DPI refers to a system for monitoring and publishing the prevailing retail prices of agricultural and fishery products across all regions on a daily basis. AMAD is one of those who is mandated to establish, strengthen, and maintain this system.
The two-day orientation aimed to uphold fair trade practices and combat economic sabotage in the agricultural sector. It also served to discuss the salient features of Republic Act No. 12022 with Local Government Units (LGUs) and attached agencies. Likewise, it served as an avenue to educate price monitors on the general guidelines for the establishment of the DPI, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing agricultural markets and promoting fair trade practices—reinforcing the Department of Agriculture’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient agribusiness sector.
Mr. Arjie B. Baquiran, Agriculturist II from DA RFO 02-AMAD welcomed the participants and delivered the overview of the activity.
Delivering the message of Regional Executive Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino was Director Kay S. Olivas, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations. She warmly acknowedged the five (5) participating Local Government Units in Cagayan—Tuguegarao City, Abulug, Aparri, Gattaran, and Tuao—as well as the attached agencies who joined the orientation.
She emphasized, “The DPI will only be effective if we all work together — kung bawat price monitor ay magiging tapat, handa, at alerto, kung bawat partner agency ay magiging katuwang sa pagpapakalat ng tamang impormasyon at kung bawat mamimili at magsasaka ay magiging bahagi ng pagsusuri ng merkado.”
Following this, Ms. Patricia Ann De Sagun and Ms. Rica Anne Vicente of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service discussed the guidelines for establishing the Daily Price Index and the specifications of agricultural commodities.
Meanwhile, Director Atty. Willie Ann Angsiy, Atty. Aliyah Rosh Dy, and Ms. Evelyn Tallada from the Department of Agriculture’s Legal Service provided an in-depth discussion and clarification on the salient provisions and implications of Republic Act No. 12022.
In addition, Mr. Baquiran also briefed participants on current AMAD practices related to DPI compliance, such as posting timely updates on the DA AMAD RFO 02 Facebook page.
Ms. Ma. Rosario Paccarangan, Chief of DA RFO 02-AMAD concluded the Orientation by expressing gratitude to the active participation of Local Government Units, Banner Programs, partner agencies and DA RFO 02 operating units. She reaffirmed AMAD’s commitment to ensuring that the DPI becomes a reliable and responsive system that reflects real-time market conditions.
The Isabela leg of the DPI Orientation—Day 2—will continue tomorrow, April 30, 2025, at the Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC), San Felipe, Ilagan City, Isabela.
Via Paul Buenavista