The price of chicken and galunggong rose this week by P20 in some markets in Metro Manila.
In the Commonwealth market in Quezon City, chicken has already hit P150 per kilo due to the surcharge on delivery due to 8 consecutive weeks of oil price hikes.
“Malalayo ‘yong lugar na kinukunan nila (supplier), sa Quezon, probinsiya pa,” said chicken vendor Bunny Pabua.
“Dapat nga P160 pero P150 na lang dito sa loob. Sa labas, P170,” said Pabua.
From P220, the price of galunggong from Navotas City also went up to P240.
The price of crude oil, which fishers use on their boats, has risen.
“Mataas talaga ang kuhaan namin,” said galunggong vendor Lilibeth Lustina.
“Umaasa po kmai sa mga suki. ‘Pag tumawad, magbibigay kami pero hindi as in… dahil baka malugi naman kami,” she added.
As a result, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a group of fishermen, requests a dialogue with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Prices of chicken, galunggong increase in some Metro Manila markets
The group also called for fuel subsidies and assistance from the government.
According to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy must have the political will to expedite the distribution of fuel subsidies to those affected by the series of oil price hikes.
But for the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), suspension of value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products is the solution to alleviate the hardships of those in the agricultural sector.
“Kasi ‘yong fuel subsidy, mahina ‘yong distribution nila,” said Sinag Chairman Rosendo So.
Fuel prices will rise for the eighth week in a row, with an increase of less than PHP1 per liter beginning Tuesday morning.
DA Secretary William Dar had earlier announced that P500 million had been set aside for the fuel subsidy.
In an interview with Teleradyo, Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo said that the DA is already preparing the subsidy for farmers and fishers affected by the oil price hike.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.