The Department of Agriculture (DA) has found out in its latest inspection of agricultural products that the prevailing prices of some vegetables have surpassed the suggested retail price (SRP).
The SRP of bitter gourd is placed at ₱120 but it is sold at ₱300 in a market in Guadalupe. Cabbage and pechay priced at ₱70 and ₱80 are also sold at ₱130. Eggplants and carrots cost ₱40 and ₱50 more than their SRP. A ₱10 to ₱20 increase has also been seen in potatoes and Baguio Beans.
DA ASec. Kristine Evangelista pointed out the price of Siling Labuyo and Siling Haba which ballooned to ₱600 to ₱700 per kilo. Evangelista said most vegetables with an increase in prices came from areas affected by previous typhoons.
“They are trying to make more money now dahil doon sa losses nila (because of their losses) … We do not want to discourage commerce… but we also have to protect consumers sa (in)pricing,” she explained.
Despite the hike in vegetable price, the cost of chicken, pork, and fish were within the suggested retail price. Pork is even sold ₱30 cheaper in a supermarket in Quezon City than in regular markets.
The DA is now looking into the possibility of including supermarkets under SRP coverage. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
