Wednesday, March 05, 2008 SP raises concern on high meat prices By Grace L. Plata
THE Davao City council passed three resolutions Tuesday asking government agencies to look into the increasing prices of meat and other prime commodities of late.
The first resolution, proposed under suspended rules by Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, requests the committees on commerce trade and industry and on agriculture to look into the "skyrocketing" prices of hogs.
Ibuyan, in his privilege speech delivered earlier Tuesday morning, said members of the Bankerohan Meat Vendors Association approached him about their problem on the rising farm gate prices of hogs.
"From P76 per kilo in the first week of January with meat sold at stalls at P120 per kilo, farm gate prices have increased to P85 per kilo by the end of February with price of meat sold in stalls at as high as P130 per kilo," Ibuyan said.
Ibuyan said it is alarming how fast the prices went up.
"I have been informed by the meat vendors that farm gate prices in the month of March are also expected to increase by more than ten pesos raising the prospect of meat selling at stalls at as high as P150 to P160 per kilo," Ibuyan said.
As this could affect both businessmen and consumers, Ibuyan said there must be an explanation for these unprecedented increases.
"The hog raisers may have a valid reason to raise prices due to higher production cost, but we want to ascertain that these are reasonable and fair. At this point meat vendors are holding on to the P130 per kilo with the barest minimum profit out of sympathy to the consuming public. But they are seeking our help to find solutions to the continuing increases," Ibuyan said.
As corollary resolution to Ibuyan's proposal, Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus said committees should look into the increase in livestock feeds, particularly in hog feeds and compare that to the prevailing prices in Luzon and Visayas.
"The reason behind these unexpected increases may be due to the erratic increase of prices of feeds," Mahipus said.
Councilor Nilo Abellera also proposed a second corollary resolution, which asks the inquiry to be extended to include all prime commodities.
