Monday, April 7, 2008

RP Food and Power Crisis

I bought a new car last February. It's a diesel-powered vehicle. When I got it out from the casa, diesel prices were at 34 pesos per liter.

Now, look at the prices of diesel--4o pesos per liter. For a two month span, the price increased by about 5-6 pesos. Last night, I saw the price of unleaded gasoline--47 pesos per liter. I don't know how people are coping up with these injustices.

This unabated rise in fuel prices might have sparked a riot or something near to it if it happened in other countries. Here, nothing. Not even a whimper. None. Nada. Zilch.

I also did my grocery and the prices of vegetables remain very high, unusual since vegetable prices go up only in two (2) occasions--Christmas and Holy week. Now, vegetable prices are really very prohibitive.

Meat prices are also a revelation. Beef, my favorite ulam, is very high. Its between the price ranges of 250-350 pesos per kilo. Fish is also high.

You know, this is a direct assault to Mr. Palengke, who positioned himself as the penultimate consumer advocate. I remember an interview with Mr. Palengke and he knows the problem. He says the reason why prices of commodities remain very high is the machinations of middle-men. They are charging so much "bukol" to us that we, the consumers, can't buy a decent meal with our small income.

Mr. Palengke, be part of the solution.

But, you know who really should we blame for this mess? Its our weak government. This government is helpless. Why? Because it has a policy of pleasing everybody. Since it's always on survival mode, it can't really fight these middlemen for fears of them going to the other fence. There's really something wrong with our politics and we need to address this and fast!

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