National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan has stressed that free and fair competition in the agriculture sector is essential for ensuring food security and fostering inclusive growth toward economic transformation.
During the 2025 Manila Forum on Competition in Developing Countries on Wednesday, Balisacan underscored the sector’s critical role in the nation’s food system.
“The agriculture sector is fundamental to ensuring food security,” Balisacan declared. “Food security encompasses the availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious food for all citizens.”
He elaborated that a dynamic and productive agricultural sector not only alleviates hunger but also propels economic structural transformation by enabling a rapid shift of economic output and labor from agriculture to industry and services sectors.
The Manila Forum, themed “From Farm to Table: The Role of Competition in Agricultural Development,” explored how competition policy can address supply chain inefficiencies, prevent market distortions, and ensure fair pricing for both producers and consumers.
Key topics discussed included the impact of globalization on agricultural markets, competition enforcement, merger control, non-tariff measures, and market access for the fisheries sector.
While acknowledging that competition policy is not a panacea, Balisacan emphasized its importance for enhancing efficiency and resilience in agriculture. “Of particular relevance today is how competition enforcement, along with a variety of policy tools, can promote agricultural development in a developing-economy context, especially in the face of highly disruptive forces,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of free and fair market competition for agricultural inputs, storage, logistics, and distribution, which can drive efficiency, spur innovation, and benefit consumers through lower prices and higher-quality goods.
“We must complement antitrust tools with strategies to address structural issues shaping firm behavior in the agriculture sector and related industries. Pro-competitive legislation, policies, regulations, and initiatives can help safeguard consumers and producers from uncompetitive and unfair practices,” Balisacan added.
He cited recent efforts by the Philippine government to control food inflation, such as lowering rice tariffs and removing non-tariff barriers to encourage market players to augment local food supplies.
“Competition policy holds significant potential for fostering agricultural development and broadly improving welfare outcomes. Together, let us work for fairer markets and amplify the crucial role of competition in this vital sector as we collectively strive for food security and shared prosperity for all,” he concluded.
The 2025 Manila Forum, organized by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), is the PCC’s flagship advocacy initiative. It brought together policymakers and experts to share insights and best practices for implementing competition policies in developing economies. The forum aims to shape effective policies that promote agricultural sustainability and economic resilience through continued dialogue and collaboration.
Balisacan expressed his appreciation for the forum’s theme, which aligns with his passion for agriculture and competition policy.
