To bolster the skills and knowledge of the Regional Bantay Presyo Monitoring Team (RBPMT) members, the Department of Agricutlure Region IV-CALABARZON thru its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) spearheaded a capability building on Retail Price Survey (RPS) on October 29-31, 2019 at DAP Conference Center, Tagaytay City, Cavite.

Ms. Agnes T. Bartosis, Ms. Jessica Atienza, and Mr. Christoper Lawrence J. Pascual, Statistiscal Specialists from Philippine Statistics Authority Region IV-A, served as resource persons for the training. They explained to the participants the systematic way of collecting and processing of data. They also shared their methodology in determining the prevailing farm gate prices of selected agricultural commodities (i.e. rice, corn, fish, meat, vegetables, etc.), which can be modified and applied by the RBPMT in determining prevailing retail prices of selected agricultural commodities in the region.

According to Ms. Edith M. Salvosa, AMAD Chief, retail prices of agricultural commodities is an important determinant of supply and demand on market and production level. It influences the farmers’ decisions relative to production, the consumers’ buying patterns, and the policy makers’ formulation of policies related to supply of agricultural commodities in the markets.

The RBPMT regularly collects retail price data of agricutural commodities from major public markets in the region (Bacoor, Siniloan, Lipa, Tanay, and Lucena Public Markets) as well as farm gate price data of selected agricultural commodities.

With the training, it can be expected that the data collected and released by the RBPMT via DA CALABARZON’s official website, facebook page, and radio broadcast is more reliable and up-to-date. (RFL, DA-RAFIS)