The price of commercial rice in Pangasinan has increased by P1 to P2 per kilo this week due to limited supply from Cagayan Valley, according to local traders.

At the Mangaldan Public Market, Leticia Bautista, a rice retailer, said the rising prices might continue until the next cropping season.

“Hanggang December ‘yang pagtaas, hihinto nalang ‘yan kapag cropping season na ulit,” she said.

Some consumers like Josefina Cariño who do not have a source of income expressed difficulty in coping with the price hike.

“Mahirap sa akin, kasi wala akong hanapbuhay,” she said.

In Calasiao, Ernesto Alfonso, another rice retailer, noted the impact of recent typhoons.

“Talagang hindi maiiwasan ‘yan. Tataas talaga ang bigas, gawa ng siyempre yung mga nasalanta,” he said.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said recent typhoons affected rice supplies in certain regions severely, as crops were damaged.

SINAG Chairperson, Engr. Rosendo So, added imported rice has not helped reduce market prices.

“'Yung peak ng import, hindi nakatulong doon sa presyo ng pagbaba. Wala tayong nakikitang makaka-influence sa imported na bigas sa pagbaba ng presyo,” he said.

Despite these challenges, SINAG assured the public that the national rice supply remains sufficient.

Many farmers, especially in Central Luzon, were able to harvest ahead of the storms.

The price of rice in Pangasinan range from P40 to P60 per kilo, as of this writing.