Vegetables, pork expensive in flood-swept Isabela

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, Philippines — Prices of vegetables and pork in Isabela province have soared despite a price freeze imposed by the government on areas hit by severe flooding.

The floods in Cagayan Valley had left at least P79 million worth of damage to agriculture as of Wednesday, records from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed. More than 15,800 farmers were affected by the floods that destroyed 11,512 hectares of farmlands.

At the public market here, vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd, string beans and tomatoes were being sold P10 to P20 higher than prevailing prices before the region was struck by the floods last week. Garlic, ginger and onions were being sold at P150 to P200 a kilo.

Vegetable sellers said they had to increase the prices since they had been buying from suppliers outside the region.

“We could do nothing about the price hike as most of our vegetables now come from Cordillera and Central Luzon. Our crops here were damaged,” said Esmeralda Rivera, a vendor.

Assistance

Pork was sold from P280 to P300 a kilo, which was higher than the previous P260.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the government had implemented a price freeze on agriculture and fishery commodities and basic essential goods, especially in flood-stricken areas.

Narciso Edillo, director of DA in Cagayan Valley, said the government would provide cash and food assistance totaling P2 billion to displaced farmers in the region.

The National Food Authority also allocated rice assistance to the affected communities. This includes 18,500 bags of well-milled rice for Isabela and 14,500 bags for Cagayan province.

—Villamor Visaya Jr.