Cooking gas prices jumped sharply at the start of April, hitting small businesses and households, even as vegetable prices fell due to high supply in Pangasinan.

An 11-kilogram LPG tank now costs around P1,500 to P1,600, following an increase of about P20 per kilo, or P220 per tank. In less than two weeks, prices have risen by as much as P500.

“Almost every day ang pagtaas sa presyo ng LPG. Sunod-sunod ang pagtaas, kaya ‘yung dati na P900, ngayon wala nang ganoon,” Rhea Gotoc, a retailer, said.

Some LPG retailers also reported supply shortages of certain brands, adding to the problem.

For small eateries in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, the rising cost has forced them to adjust. One eatery said it uses two to three LPG tanks per week and has started using charcoal to cut costs.

But charcoal supply is also tightening, pushing prices higher from P300 to P400 per sack.

“Nagsabi sila na may darating noong Lunes pero wala, kaya ‘yung nandiyaan na ilang sako, hindi na namin ibebenta, gagamitin na namin,” Emma Costes, a vendor, said.

In contrast, vegetable prices dropped by up to 30 percent due to abundant supply.

Tomatoes now sell for as low as P15 per kilo, while prices of eggplant, bitter gourd, chayote, potatoes, and cabbage also declined.

“Maraming supply ngayon, sobrang hina ng bentahan,” Caridad Pasaoa, a vendor, said.

Consumers like Jeanie Visperas welcomed the lower prices but said they still try to save.

“Kailangan kasi ng gulay. Pwede naman kaming tumawad sa presyo,” she said.