Tulfo tells DA: Put SRP on basic food items to curb price manipulation
Rep. Erwin Tulfo. Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement suggested retail prices (SRP) on essential goods to prevent excessive price hikes by middlemen and traders.
Tulfo, in a statement on Sunday, noted that while farmgate prices of rice, vegetables, eggs, and meat remain low, their costs rise significantly in markets due to middlemen and traders
“Inaabuso kasi ng ilang mga negosyante tulad ng mga middleman o mga broker ang presyo ng ilang pagkain dahilan para sumirit ang presyo nito sa merkado o mga palengke,” Tulfo stressed.
(Some businessmen, such as middlemen and brokers, are taking advantage of food prices, causing them to soar in markets.)
“Tumataas na ang presyo pagdaan sa kamay ng mga middleman o traders bago pa ipasa sa mga retailers na nasa mga palengke,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisement(Prices increase as they pass through middlemen and traders before reaching market retailers.)
Article continues after this advertisement“With the implementation of the SRP sa ilang pagkain, masisiguro nating hindi maaaring manipulahin ang presyo ng produkto,” he underscored.
(With the SRP on certain food items, we can ensure that prices won’t be manipulated.)
READ: DA aims lower rice prices by setting maximum SRP for premium grains
Tulfo’s appeal followed congressional hearings which revealed that middlemen and cartels play a major role in price hikes, particularly for rice.
“Ang SRP kasi ang magkokontrol sa kikitain ng mga middleman o trader o kartel para affordable pa rin ang produkto pagdating sa merkado,” Tulfo said.
(The SRP will regulate the profits of middlemen, traders, and cartels so that products remain affordable when they reach the market.)
He also emphasized that SRPs would not be permanent and could be lifted once market prices stabilize.
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Tulfo, a senatorial candidate under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, currently leads the senatorial race with 45 percent voter preference, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey.
