The prices of rice and vegetables increased in Dagupan City’s Malimgas Public Market due to disruptions caused by the southwest monsoon, intensified by #CarinaPH.

The price of rice ranges from P48 to P60 per kilo, reflecting a P3 increase per kilo.

Rubilyn, a rice retailer, said difficulty in drying and transporting the rice are two factors that contributed to the rising cost. 

"Mahirap ang pag-travel — mahirap ang pag-transport dito, saka ‘yung pagpapa-araw ng bigas [ay mahabang] process," she said.

The prices of vegetables, meanwhile, have almost doubled. 

Tomatoes now cost between P140 and P150 per kilo, while carrots cost P200 per kilo. 

Vegetables getting spoiled easily because of the rain is also posing a problem for vendors.

"Madali talagang masira [ang gulay], bibilhin namin maganda tapos kapag nabasa na wala na, sira na," Sarah Ortillo, a vendor, said.

"Kaunti talaga ang gulay kaya mataas ang presyo," Concepcion Bonus, a businesswoman, added.

Business owners expect vegetable prices to continue rising in the coming days due to ongoing supply issues.

According to the Samahan ng Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the rice supply for 2024 remains adequate despite some rice fields being flooded.

“'Yung total damaged sa crop [if] compared doon sa projected harvest up to December — from July to December — ang projected supply [ay] malaki naman, aabot ng 11 million metric tons," Engr. Rosendo So, Chairman of SINAG, said.

Consumers are bracing for continued high prices.

"Titiisin na lang ‘yung mahal kahit walang ulam basta may kanin," Marlyn Samson, a customer, said.

"Hindi na maiwasan na kapag natapos ang bagyo mataas ang presyo ng lahat," Anita Lim, another customer, added.