PRESS RELEASE
12 February 2025

PCC’s 2025 Manila Forum puts spotlight on competition issues in Philippine agriculture

The 2025 Manila Forum on Competition in Developing Countries, held February 5-6 at the Hilton Manila, convened experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to tackle critical challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Organized by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for the first time since 2022, the 2025 Manila Forum themed “From Farm to Table: The Role of Competition in Agricultural Development” concluded with actionable policy recommendations to strengthen agricultural competitiveness in the Philippines. 

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, competition authorities in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Kenya, Australia, and Hong Kong, alongside international organizations and foreign academic institutions, shared valuable insights and best practices on fostering competition to drive growth and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

In his welcome remarks, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo underscored the central issue of ensuring food security and the well-being of agricultural workers while simultaneously promoting market efficiency and consumer welfare.  

"How can we ensure that those continuing the vital work of our local agricultural industry, without which we would have great difficulty in feeding and clothing our people, remain protected, while also integrating the need for healthy competition?" he said.

n a message from the Philippine government, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized the importance of a vibrant agricultural sector for food security and economic growth, particularly in developing economies.  

Balisacan stated that while competition policy is not a panacea, it is essential for addressing anti-competitive practices such as cartels and abuses of dominance in agricultural markets. However, he added that it must be complemented by broader strategies, including pro-competitive legislation, market integration, and infrastructure development, to tackle structural inefficiencies.

Former US Federal Trade Commission Chairperson William Kovacic delivered the keynote address, discussing major competition issues in the food supply chain and suggesting policy tools to address them.

"By using the competition assessment toolkit, conducting market studies, and holding public consultations, you will be in a much better position to understand the dynamics of the sector and the specific needs of individual participants, especially small businesses at different stages of the supply chain," he said.

Participants explored a range of key issues, from navigating the increasingly globalized agricultural landscape to the role of competition authorities in combating anti-competitive practices and protecting consumers from food inflation.

Experts also discussed the critical need for effective merger control to prevent excessive market concentration and ensure a level playing field for all players in the agricultural value chain. Finally, the forum addressed the impact of non-tariff barriers on competition within the livestock and poultry sector and examined approaches to enhancing competition and access in the Philippine fish market.

Launched in February 2018, the Manila Forum is the PCC’s flagship platform for dialogue among competition authorities, experts, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the academe. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of competition policy by exploring innovative approaches and sharing valuable insights grounded in the unique experiences and challenges faced by developing economies.

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REFERENCE:
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph
PCC Public Affairs and Research Division

Link: https://www.phcc.gov.ph/resource-details/pcc-s-2025-manila-forum-puts-spotlight-on-competition-issues-in-philippine-agriculture