MANILA – A lawmaker is seeking a congressional inquiry into the sharp rise in tomato prices, citing concerns over possible price manipulation and hoarding.
Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee filed on January 8 House Resolution No. 2158, directing the appropriate committee to investigate the sudden surge in tomato prices, which have reportedly reached as high as PHP360 per kilogram in some areas.
A copy of the resolution was released to the media on Thursday.
The resolution seeks to identify potential illegal practices such as price manipulation, hoarding, and cartel operations that may be contributing to what Lee described as an “artificial tomato crisis.”
He said that while adverse weather conditions and production challenges are potential factors contributing to the price hike, there is growing concern that price manipulators, hoarders, and smugglers may be playing a role in “artificially inflating prices”.
“In light of the ongoing and recurring surge in prices of tomatoes and other agricultural commodities, it is imperative that a comprehensive legislative inquiry be conducted to thoroughly investigate the underlying causes of these price surges, including illegal activities of price manipulators, hoarders or cartels, as well as systematic inefficiencies within the agricultural and market supply chains,” he said.
Lee underscored the need to address the detrimental impact of the price hike on consumers and the economy.
“There is a need to take decisive action and measures from the government to protect our consumers as well as the livelihood of Filipino farmers through stricter and serious enforcement of laws which the inquiry must ascertain and realize,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said high tomato prices may normalize by late January or early February as production resumes.
DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa has attributed the price surge to extensive damage caused by a series of typhoons in 2024, which significantly impacted solanaceous crops —including tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers— in regions like Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Bicol. (PNA)