Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force head, Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, confirmed, after monitoring three major Bacolod City markets, the city has not experienced any “sudden” price changes for basic necessities and prime commodities.

He added, there were also no indications of hoarding.

The city official acknowledged there have been increases, but affirmed it was not “sudden.”

As an example, Pineda said the common price for rice last year was P40, however, based on the last three months, the common price has steadily risen to P52.

He called on various agencies to look into the matter, noting, in order to stabilize prices, production must be maximized.

Pineda also encouraged farmers to plant more./DGB, WDJ