TACLOBAN CITY — Rising fuel prices have begun to push up the cost of basic goods in public markets here, with vendors warning that rice prices may also increase in the coming days due to higher transport costs.
Vegetable and fruit vendors said the cost of bringing farm produce from nearby towns has increased following the latest fuel price adjustments, prompting some sellers to raise their prices.
One vendor said the vegetables she used to buy for about P1,300 now cost around P2,000, forcing her to increase retail prices by at least P3 to avoid losing capital.
Rice retailers also warned that prices may rise next week as some suppliers are reportedly holding their stocks and may sell them at higher rates.
Some vendors said there were no new rice deliveries this week, with retailers still selling stocks from earlier harvests.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in Eastern Visayas showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages remain among the top contributors to inflation in the region.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture said they continue to monitor prices and are preparing measures to help farmers and stabilize the supply of basic commodities.
(ELLA MAE D. SEGUROS, LNU STUDENT INTERN)
