Prices of basic commodities up as Christmas nears in the aftermath of Tisoy —DA’s Dar

The prices of some basic commodities, like vegetables and fish, have gone up due to a number of factors, according to a report by Maki Pulido on GMA News’ “Balitanghali” on Friday.

Foremost of these factors are the recent Typhoon Tisoy which devastated parts of the country, particularly southern Luzon and norther Visayas, and the fast-approaching Christmas season, said  Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

Both circumstances enhance the demand for basic commodities, Dar noted as he inspected the Muñoz Market in Quezon City.

Prices of galunggong, popularly called the poor man’s fish, rose to P360 per kilo from P280.

Laban Konsyumer Inc. president Vic Dimagiba noted the suggested retail price (SRP) of galunggong in P160 per kilo.

“In case nakakalimutan na nila, meron tayong nakatakdang SRP na P160. That’s profiteering already,” he said.

For Dimagiba, the solution is for local government units to exercise police powers instead of relying on the Departments of Agriculture and of Trade and Industry.

“‘Yung LGU, local government unit, baka sila pa ang may malaking maitulong sa mga konsyumer … Sila mismo pwede nilang ipairal ‘yung mga suggested retail prices na ‘yan,” Dimagiba said.

“Kung aasa ka sa Department of Agriculture atsaka sa Department of Trade and Industry—now you see them, now you don’t. Kaya ganyan ang presyo ng galunggong. Pwede makiusap tayo sa kanila, local na pamahalaan … Manghuli naman sila, pairal nila ‘yung tinakda nilang SRP,” he emphasized.

Dar said he has approved the importation of 45,000 metric tons (MT) of small pelagic fish, including galunggong. If the price does not decline, the volume of importation may be raised to 100,000 MT.

Chicken prices have increased by P10 over the past month.

Prices of the so called “gulay Tagalog” also increased while “Baguio vegetables” decreased.

Here are the vegetables prices in Muñoz Market:

• Onion – P160 per kilo from P100

• Tomatoes – P50 per kilo from P40

• Bitter Gourd or Okra – P120 per kilo from P80

• Eggplant – P120 per kilo from P80

• Chili Peppers – P200 per kilo from P150

• Cauliflower – P100 per kilo from P150

• Broccoli – P100 per kilo from P150

• Pechay Baguio – P50 per kilo from P80

Dar has meanwhile criticized the prices of imported rice which stayed around P40 to P45 per kilo. Imported rice prices should be below P36, he said.

Local rice prices, on the other hand, are selling at P32 to P35. National Food Authority rice is available at P27 per kilo. —Joahna Lei Casilao/VDS, GMA News