LOCAL restaurants in Davao City face supply challenges amid the high inflation rate in Davao Region, said members of the Restaurant Owners Association of Davao City Inc. (RestoDC) on November 12.
RestoDC president Benjie Lizada said in a message to SunStar Davao over the weekend that the restaurant owners said they had to either increase prices or adjust the serving portions since supplies became scarce or expensive.
“Walang choice, nag doble talaga ang prices (We had no choice because the prices doubled). We are forced to increase the price or adjust the product,” a RestoDC member said.
Another member said that imported supplies had to be sourced through online e-commerce platforms, and one mentioned that last time they increased their prices was July of this year.
According to the members, the most affected commodities are basic supplies and ingredients like rice, white and brown sugar, flour, meat, chicken, and vegetables.
Based on the data by the Philippine Statistics Authority in Davao REgion (PSA-Davao), the regional inflation for food increased to 12 percent in October from 10.8 percent in September.
Among selected food items, the inflation rate of sugar, confectionery and desserts increased the most from 41.7 percent in September to 46.8 percent in October. It is followed by corn at 38.1 percent; and oils and fats which declined from 29.5 percent in September to 28.7 percent in October.
The inflation rate of meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 12.5 percent; flour, bread, and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 8.8 percent; milk, eggs, and other dairy products at 7.9 percent; and rice at 2.8 percent.
Compared to the same period last year, Davao Region’s total food inflation rate was lower at only 4.2 percent.
The restaurant owners said they are holding on until the situation becomes better and they would be able to easily source and buy their basic supplies at the usual prices.
“It was widely anticipated, though (but) I hope this crunch will settle soon,” one member said. ICM