More sorties for ‘bawang’ caravans

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Agriculture (DA) has scheduled more market sorties for its rolling stores that sell locally grown garlic in a bid to temper a sudden spike in the price of the commodity.

According to the DA, its “bawang caravans,” which kicked off last Saturday, now cover at least 16 key markets around Metro Manila.

The trucks, which are fitted out as rolling stores, will sell garlic in six-kilogram bags at between P100 and P200 per kilogram, depending on the size of the bulbs.

DA monitoring showed that over the past several weeks, garlic prices have rocketed to more than P300 a kilo for the imported variety and P180 per kilo for the local variety.

As of Wednesday, the rolling store market sorties have been scheduled up to June 21.

On Wednesday, the rolling stores took posts in the Quezon City public markets of Arayat, Murphy, Muñoz, Tandang Sora, Visayas and Frisco.

On Thursday, the trucks will go to the Farmer’s Market in Cubao and the Project 4 market—also in Quezon City—as well as the Muntinlupa public market.

On June 20, rolling stores will visit the Quezon City markets of Galas, Commonwealth and Kamuning, and the Pasay Public Market and the New Dagonoy Public Market in San Andres, Manila.

On June 21, the trucks will be posted at the Mandaluyong Public Market and the Pasig City Mega Market.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said in a statement he was optimistic that prices would stabilize soon as reports from the field indicate that “consumers are somewhat relieved” because of the availability of lower-priced local garlic.

“Since Filipino (homes) can hardly survive without garlic, it is wise to buy the smaller, cheaper and tastier local bawang because in the end, it’s the taste that counts,” Alcala said.