‘Higpit-sinturon’: Pasig shoppers feel pinch of rising vegetable prices

MANILA — Despite efforts to stretch their budgets, shoppers at the Pasig Public Market continue to feel the impact of fluctuating vegetable prices, with several commodities becoming more expensive compared to last month.

For 55-year-old Evangeline Magbuhos, who shops for a household of four, her P4,000 grocery budget used to last an entire half-month. Now, the same amount runs out in just 10 days.

“Hindi magkasya na. Kulang na kulang. P4,000 ang budget ko isang kinsenas. … Ten days lang ubos na,” Magbuhos said.

“Halos doble ang mga presyo. Kahit mga isda,” she added.

Although her family can still afford meat, Magbuhos said she has had to adjust their meals and become more conscious of their spending.

“Nagkakarne pa rin kaso diet na. Hindi tulad ng dati na kung anong gustong lutuin. Ngayon, binabudget ko na talaga,” she said.

“Mas mahal pa ang gulay,” she added.

To avoid wasting food, Magbuhos said they have also adjusted how much they cook for each meal, making only enough to last until the next serving.

Meanwhile, 44-year-old Lira Lacaba traveled from Fort Bonifacio, Taguig to shop at the Pasig Public Market, saying prices there remain relatively more affordable despite increases in some commodities.

“Medyo higpit-sinturon sa budget ngayon kasi medyo tumaas yung presyo hindi katulad dati na yung P1,000 mo, madami na. Ngayon konti na lang nabibili,” Lacaba said.

She noted that the same amount of money now buys significantly fewer vegetables than before.

“Mga ilang piraso na lang yung nabibili. Dati, kilo-kilo pa. Ngayon, one-fourth, one-fourth na lang,” she added.

A check of vegetable prices at the market showed that carrots and potatoes now cost P140 per kilogram each, up from P100 to P120 last month.

Tomatoes and calamansi are now at P160 per kilogram, while cabbage has increased to P200.

Green chili, lemon, Baguio beans and patola are also selling at P240 per kilogram each, up from P200 last month. Gabi now costs P140 per kilogram, while string beans are at P120.

Sweet potato tops have likewise increased to P15 per bundle from P10.

However, some vegetables have become cheaper.

Papaya is now at P100 per kilogram from P120, while ginger has dropped to P200 from P240. Ampalaya and cucumber are now both at P120 per kilogram, while broccoli and cauliflower are at P180.

Prices of Baguio pechay and radish have also decreased to P160 per kilogram from P240. Onions and garlic are now at P140, while eggplant costs P120.

Among leafy vegetables, kangkong and pechay have dropped to P10 per bundle from P15 to P20, while ampalaya leaves are now at P25 from P35.

According to vegetable vendors, successive typhoons have affected the supply and transportation of produce, particularly those coming from Baguio and other parts of Northern Luzon.

Rica Ragay said vegetables sourced from Baguio have become more expensive, while prices of locally grown vegetables have generally gone down.

“Medyo tumaas yung gulay-Baguio … [pati] patatas saka carrot, repolyo,” Ragay said.

“Dulot din siguro ng sunod-sunod na bagyo tapos El Niño,” she added.

Fellow vendor Aila Jarito Celajes also cited the effects of drought on vegetable production, particularly the lack of water needed by farmers.

“Sobra po. Gawa s’yempre ng tagtuyot. [Nasisira] yung mga gulay. … Nawawalan ng tubig kaya ganoon,” Celajes said.

Celajes noted that customer traffic has also been relatively slow at the market.

“Meron pa naman po. Kadalasan kasi ngayon, medyo matumal. Matumal na po ngayon,” she said.

With the Christmas season approaching, vendors expect vegetable prices to climb further as demand increases.

Ragay said prices typically rise during the holiday season, particularly as December approaches.

“Tataas po talaga iyan ngayong holiday. … [Ber] months talagang aangat talaga. Expected na ng mga tao yung aangat yung mga presyo ng gulay,” she said.

She advised consumers to buy vegetables early before prices potentially increase further in the coming weeks.

“Dapat po maaga kasi talagang tataas po pagpasok nitong December. Mga December 20,” Ragay said.