Philippines, Feb. 10 -- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to closely monitor bread prices, Filipinos' alternative staple to rice, given their continuous rise.

In a statement, he urged the government to maintain pricing transparency and ensure that any price hikes are reasonable and justified.

He also suggested providing support to bakers to improve efficiency and keep bread affordable.

"The government should explore measures to stabilize production costs, such as securing reliable chains for wheat and other essential ingredients and providing necessary support for bakers to enhance production efficiency," he said.

Gatchalian stressed that ensuring the accessibility of essential ...