By Vanessa Bacus and Mark Vencent Cervantes/UM Interns
VENDORS at the Bankerohan Public Market revealed that the prices of goods and food ingredients increased leading up to the Holy Week due to high demand.
In an interview with TIMES, vendor Zoja Sancopan said the prices of ingredients for Binignit, a traditional glutinous sweet meal during Holy Week, all rose, including banana (cardava) at 30 per kilo, sweet potato (camote) at 40 per kilo, taro (gabi) at 80 per kilo, and glutinous rice (malagkit) at 60
Sancopan observed that the price increase started today (March 27).
However, Shine Sague, another vendor in the market, believes that the price increase started even earlier, which was last Friday, March 22.
“Nitaas gyud ang presyo kay daghan tao mangita (People are looking for them, which explains that price increase)” she said.
Meanwhile, the fish cost in the market vary depending on the type. Malasugi, bangus, and bariles maintain their normal prices ranging from P150 to P180 per kilo.
However, there has been a noticeable spike in the price of Lapu-Lapu, reaching ₱550 per kilo this week, compared to its usual range of ₱300-350. The fish is commonly transported from Malalag, Zamboanga, and General Santos.
The vendors expect the high prices to continue until next week.
