Manila, July 23 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured the public that the prices of agricultural products are expected to remain stable, despite the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) and southwest monsoon or habagat.

"We are not seeing any significant price surges for now, even for vegetables," DA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in Filipino during a virtual press briefing.

De Mesa said that while rice production has sustained some damage, most of the affected palay (unhusked rice) is still in its early planting or vegetative stage.

High-value crops, meanwhile, are likely to recover quickly, he added.

As of Wednesday, rice sector losses stood at 6,7...