MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday pledged to maintain stable food prices throughout the holiday season.

The assurance followed after headline inflation eased further to 1.5 percent in November, with rice prices dropping by 15.4 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said government measures are in place to provide affordable food to Filipinos, especially the poor.

"The DA has taken steps in recent weeks to ensure prices remain stable, if not lower, especially during the Christmas season when demand surges and price pressures intensify," he said.

The DA earlier said the PHP20 per kilogram of rice under the "Benteng Biga...