Ifugao veggie prices up due to typhoons

By MaribelleDulnuan-Bimohya

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Prices of perishable goods increased up to P20 here in this capital town after the municipality was ravaged by two strong typhoons destroying vegetable farms and livestock in the area.

According to a report from the Provincial Agriculture Office, the increase was due to the scarcity of supply and additional hauling costs of commodities.

The collapse of the Dugong bridge in Tungngod, Lagawe closed the road for delivery trucks to enter the capital town thus, severely affecting the flow of commerce in the municipalities of Lagawe, Hingyon and Banaue.

A monitoring visit at the Lagawemarket revealed that prices of vegetables ranged from P40 to P100 pesos last Friday with a price of cabbage at P50-60, eggplant - P40 to P60, chayote-P 40 to P60, tomato P60 to P80 and ampalaya - P80 to P100.

Gov. Eugene M. Balitang said the increase in prices of perishable goods was justifiable considering that farmers had to pay additional costs in bringing their goods to the market. However, measures must be in place to ensure the situation will not be taken advantaged of by unscrupulous individuals.

He said that the Local Price Coordinating Council was actively monitoring the prices of prime commodities.

The Council was taking steps to stabilize prices and to recommend actions in case there will really be supply shortage.

Balitang added that as of the latest data from the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, agriculture damages was estimated to reach about P184.8 million.

Rice damages reached P80 million while corn damages was at P20 million.
Vegetables were not spared with a record of P21.5 damages. Destroyed fruit trees were estimated to hit P20 million.

“The typhoon struck our rice and corn basin in Alfonso Lista destroying rice fields and corn plantations. Rice damages in the area alone was estimated at P43 million while corn damages was P59 million,” Balitang said.

The chief executive also said that as of press time, prices of most grocery items are still the same except for a 50 centavo increase in some items like sardines, Nescafe coffee, laundry soap and selected canned goods.

Latest monitoring also revealed there was a P5 increase in the usual price of cement, nail and some electrical supplies.

A P3 to P7 increase was noted in the price of steel bars.