House probe of surge in tomato prices pushed
Inquirer photo/Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines — A legislator is calling for a congressional inquiry into the “sudden and drastic” increase in tomato prices, which has reportedly reached P360 per kilogram in Metro Manila.
Agri Rep. Wilbert Lee filed House Resolution No. 2158, which would task a House committee to determine the possible role of price manipulators, hoarders, and cartels in the “artificial tomato crisis.”
“There is a need to take decisive action and measures from the government to protect our consumers as well as the livelihood of Filipino farmers through stricter and serious enforcement of laws, which the inquiry must ascertain and realize,” Lee said.
READ: DA: Tomato prices up in NCR due to shortage
The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier reported that tomatoes were being sold from P200 per kilogram to P360 per kilogram in markets in Metro Manila. It attributed the hike to a shortage in local supply due to the series of typhoons that hit parts of the country last year. —Jeannette I. Andrade
