THE Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) said that the price of basic commodities, particularly the lowland and upland vegetables, in the region remains stable as of January 2025.
This is after the retail price of tomatoes in some public markets in the National Capital Region (NCR) increased to as much as 400 percent due to a substantial decrease in local supply following the series of typhoons that hit the country last year.
In an exclusive interview with DA-Davao Information Officer Celso Vergara on January 9, the retail price of tomato in the region as of the first week of January is P140 per kilogram compared to the P170 recorded last December 27, 2024, a decrease of P30 per kilogram.
This is relatively lower and affordable compared to some retailers in Metro Manila that sell tomatoes between P200 and P300 per kilo.
Vergara assured that their agency will continue its price monitoring through the implementation of Republic Act 7581 known as the Price Act to protect consumers from unreasonable price increases and ensure fair market practices.
“On the part of DA, our price monitoring team has intensified its activities as part of our mandate. So far, we haven't received any complaints, but we urge the public to remain vigilant and do not hesitate to report any illegal acts of price manipulation as outlined by the Price Act,” he said.
At Bankerohan Public Market and Agdao Public Market, tomato prices range between P140 to P150 per kilogram, depending on the retailers or establishments.
“Rejie Ann Castilonnes, 31, a long-time vendor in Bankerohan Public Market, said in an ambush interview with SunStar Davao that although she has the authority to increase the price of the agricultural product, she can only impose such if there is a significant supply shortage for tomatoes.
“Pwede man ko maka-increase pero depende pa gihapon na sa demand and kabalo baya ta na if magpasobra tag patong, wala noon tay kita ani. Sa karon, maka-dawat man gihapon tag ubay-ubay nga deliveries sa mga gulay and okay ra man pud ang supply (I can increase the prices but it still depends on the demand and we know that if we overprice, we won’t have profit instead. Currently, we are still receiving a few deliveries of vegetables and the supply is steady),” she said.
Earlier this week, the DA central office told the national media that the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes would likely go down by February.
“Sabi nila rito production may resume this January until February, start din ng dry season, and then expectedly prices can go back to normal during this period by February, end of January or early February (They said that production may resume this January until February, coinciding with the start of the dry season. Prices are expected to return to normal during this period, by the end of January or early February),” DA Assistant Secretary spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said. DEF