House probes gap in basic goods’ farmgate, retail prices

MANILA, Philippines: Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House of Representatives would immediately investigate the “disconnect” between the farmgate and retail prices of basic goods upon the resumption of session on Monday.

Romualdez said this after a Tuesday meeting with representatives of producers, retailers and grocery stores who denied making substantial price shifts.

“I would ask Chairman Mark Enverga of the Committee on Agriculture to immediately start the ball rolling for an investigation into the disconnect between farmgate and retail prices of basic goods,” Romualdez said.

“The discrepancy between farmgate and retail prices of basic goods is alarming and warrants immediate attention. We cannot ignore the plight of our farmers who are struggling to make ends meet, nor can we turn a blind eye to the burden placed on consumers,” he added.