Prices of basic goods in Davao City markets go up

The Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11) has assured strict monitoring after prices of several goods at some public markets in Davao City went up amid the continued increase in fuel prices.

DA-11 assured the public that vendors who increase prices excessively will be fined under the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law.

At the Farmer’s Market in Barangay 5A, prices of some staple commodities have already gone up, including corn, which is classified as a basic necessity.

A vendor said their supplier of corn raised the price of corn recently by 50 centavos per piece. Because of this, vendors added a markup of about P75 per sack containing 150 pieces of corn.

“Nimahal kay ang gasolina dili man pwede paarehas ra tong una unya wala poy mais sa init,” a corn vendor, Lucy Paco, said.

(It's expensive because fuel prices aren't be the same as before, and then there's no corn in the heat.)

At the Bankerohan Public Market, prices of egg have also increased slightly.

An egg vendor explained that poultry farms are, likewise, affected by higher fuel costs.

“Affected gyud taas ang gisaka kay ang mga farm nagagamit pud baya na sila’g gasolina mao ng nisaka pud sila sa presyo sa itlog,” an egg vendor said.

(The price of eggs has been affected because farms use gasoline, which is why the price of eggs has also increased.)

Based on DA-11’s price monitoring, prices of pork went up by about P5 per kilo. However, prices of beef, chicken, and fish have decreased slightly.

DA-11 said it has intensified its price monitoring efforts as fuel prices continue to shoot up, particularly watching for traders who impose excessive markups.

The agency said it will not hesitate to take action against individuals who take advantage of consumers.

“Ang ginabantayan gyud sa Department of Agriculture, kining Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law, pag ma-found out gyud nga naa’y scrupulous mga mapahimuslanon gyud nga tawo, labi na affected ang mga konsumante, dili magdumili ang atoang regulatory agencies nga mag-apprehend,” DA-11 Price Monitoring Head, Agnes Roble, said.

(The Department of Agriculture is monitoring violations to the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law. If it is found that there are really unscrupulous people who are exploiting, especially those who are affecting consumers, our regulatory agencies will not hesitate to apprehend them.)

Authorities added that the impact of rising fuel prices on goods and commodities may become more noticeable in the coming days.

However, DA-11 assured that the supply of agricultural products in the region remains stable. —Jandi Esteban, GMA Regional TV News