RICE prices rose in the third week of January as a result of the TRAIN law, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said Sunday.
The average increases were P1 per kilo of special and premium rice, P1 per kilo of regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo of premium well-milled rice, the farmers’ group said, citing figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority .
The PSA also noted an upward trend in the wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice and regular milled rice this January compared to the prices a year ago.
For well-milled rice, a P3-per-kilo increase was noted in Kidapawan City and a P2-per-kilo increase in Metro Manila and Naga City.
Price hikes ranging from P.50 to P3 per kilo of regular milled rice were also observed in six regional centers nationwide.
The prices of other agricultural produce such as beef, meat and pork lean meat increased by as much as P10 per kilo. The prices of dressed chicken increased by P2 to P20 per kilo, while the market prices of fish and vegetables also increased.
The price hikes were the result of the cumulative increase in petroleum prices since Jan. 1 when TRAIN took effect.
This week oil prices will once again increase, according to oil companies.
“This unending cycle of price hikes will not stop as long as TRAIN is in effect. It will only continue to worsen the economic hardship of Filipinos, the KMP said.
The group demanded that the government strictly implement a total price freeze in Albay due to the active Mayon volcano.
National agencies and LGUs in Albay should strictly monitor the prices of commodities in the calamity-affected areas to avoid overpricing. The agencies should provide relief and rehabilitation assistance, KMP said.
As of Jan. 28, there were 28,885 families or 89,109 individuals staying in the evacuation centers in Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Santo Domingo and Legazpi City.
