Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Palmes: Pagka-igang sa presyo karon
By Susan Palmes
Barangay S
PERSONALLY, I visited Cogon market where the display of guinamos, uyap, fish, meat at the ground floor and vegetables and fruits at second floor are found but sad because I could not stretch my P100 budget for the vegetables, considering the prices, talong at P18 per kg, repolyo at P20 per kg, Chinese kankong at P20 per kg, string beans at P18, amargoso at P5 per piece, kalabasa at P5 per slice, tomatoes at P24, red onion at P30, garlic P40 per kg, and lemon grass P1 per bunch.
Believe me, for a family of four, your P100 budget for the vegetables is "tabalado."
I asked a "suki" what happened to confirm what's on my mind, that the heat as the culprit, that indeed, my suki said so. So, of a family whose money is just enough for the fish and rice, vegetable is now a luxury.
This reminds me then of the MAKP program of the government, "M" for malunggay, "A" for alugbati, "K" for kangkong and "P" for pechay.
I have said this in my previous column, that a house without malunggay is poor. It is not yet late, plant now and you will be sure of the vegetables you will be eating. And also, try to resize the vegetables. For instance, kalabasa (just a little of it), tomatoes (also little) because of the price.
And this can be learned by your helpers, make them understand the value of thriftiness. At this time, we need it in order to survive, times are hard and we have to find means to beat the process of life. Others tried to beat the cost by reducing the number they eat, instead of three times a day, now twice.
We, Filipinos, used to eat heavy dinner and light breakfast, I believe we need to reverse them, eat like a king during breakfast, like a prince during lunch and like a beggar during supper.
With the cost of commodities, including vegetables, housewives are now wiser by comparing prices from one market to another.
And what is this I heard that prices of many goods at Carmen market is higher than that of Cogon Market, prompted many to flock at Cogon? Somebody shared to me that a kilogram of "sampaynahon" at Cogon costs P30 but P40 at Carmen while "mascara sa baboy" for sisig, P80 per kg at Cogon but P90 per kg at Carmen. That's P10 difference and that's too much. Give me good reasons for this, City Market Administrator. Do you know this or not because you do your marketing at the malls?
I intend to interview nutritionists and doctors about foods and I would share them with you in the near future. Keep eating a lot of veggies, it will work wonders in your body.
* * * * *
Still on prices, what is this I heard that cellular phone users are now caring additional tax? I was informed that there are stores that charged additional tax by asking P62 for a 60 e-load.
Ooops. I haven't heard of any pronouncement from the major companies about the increase, as well as from Department of Trade and Industry. (This might be illegal).
Is this being sanctioned by the agencies concerned? Before going further, allow me to extend my best regards to lawyer Graciano "Nonong" Neri whom I met the other day with lawyer Rody Villaroya, whose words were very encouraging and told me to continue writing.
Yes sir, if the tiresome virus will not catch me up. Neri was my very good- looking teacher in Taxation and was a very good mentor as a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer. In fact, he was my idol.
Talking with him at JR Borja Street, he has grown in wisdom not that he is no longer good looking, hahaha. Anyway, yes sir, like your student before, I will be around writing. Thank you. Also, being informed by Ms. Galindo, I would like to extend my regards to the two ladies at Nazareth who always read Barangay S. Now back to the program.
This increase, if ever legal, should not be allowed, because that is not the computation in Taxation taught to me by Neri. Is the P60 load now at P62?
If only I can afford other means of communication, I will stop using cellular phone, but texting is still the most affordable.
Comments/Suggestions: susanpalmes@lycos.com or 09208512384 or sunstar_cdo@yahoo.com
(May 3, 2006 issue)
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For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 3, 2006 issue)
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