The Department of Agriculture on Monday said it has been regularly monitoring the prices of basic commodities, and continues to ensure that market movements are quickly addressed.

Based on the daily monitoring of prices conducted by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, prices of onion and garlic remain stable at the Commonwealth, Guadalupe, Las Piñas, Marikina, Mega Q-mart, Muñoz, Pasay, Pasig, Quinta, San Andres, Muntinlupa and Pritil markets.

"According to our records of the average prices in September and October this year 2023, the prices range from P140 to P142 for local red onion, P125 to P130 for local white onion, P120 to P125 for imported white onion, P125 to P140 for imported garlic and P500 for local garlic, respectively," Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reported.

De Mesa, however, noted an increase in the prices for other crops, particularly potatoes, which he said "may be attributed to the typhoons that hit the country during the months of July and August."

De Mesa said the DA is looking into the situation and expects the situation to normalize with the incoming supply.

"The peak of harvest within the last quarter this year up to the first quarter of next year 2024 will make a positive impact on the supply and prices of potatoes," he said.