Manila, Feb. 23 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has intensified its monitoring to ensure reasonable farmgate prices of onions.

DA-Mimaropa Regional Executive Director Christopher Banas said market interventions are underway to cushion the effects of possible changes in onion buying prices in Occidental Mindoro following the order of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

"While price movements depend on prevailing market conditions, we would like to assure them that we continue to take action to provide the necessary support," he said in a news release.

Although the DA cannot impose a price ceiling for farmgate and retail prices of onions, the agency recognizes the concerns of farmers about possible drop due to t...