Marilyn Cahatol

Vendors sell vegetables at the Luzon Market in Quezon City as consumers seek affordable food options amid rising prices driven by inflation. Inflation quickened to 1.8 percent in December according to a report released by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

INFLATION - FOOD- VEGETABLES

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177305042095620260106-vegetable-vendors-qc-MT15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vendors sell vegetables at the Luzon Market in Quezon City as consumers seek affordable food options amid rising prices driven by inflation. Inflation quickened to 1.8 percent in December according to a report released by the Philippine Statistics Authority. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A group of manufacturing companies on Monday said it is exploring different ways to mitigate the cost of rising fuel prices before passing on the burden to consumers.</p><p>The Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) said raising the prices of goods, particularly basic commodities, will be its last resort.</p><p>“Ayaw din namin na magpasa agad ng presyo, kasi competitive edge din gamin yung maging affordable sa consumers, especially if you’re selling basic necessities. Unless talagang wala nang choice. Kasi whether it’s internationally sourced or domestically sourced, magkakaroon talaga ng impact sa logistics,” said SCMAP Marketing and Communications Director Henrik Batallones.</p><p>According to Batallones, big firms are usually able to negotiate rates with their transport providers since they can guarantee large orders.</p><p>Another possible course of action is stockpiling raw materials or products.</p><p>“Either magbo-book na sila ahead of time ng pwesto sa barko, para at least babayaran nila is current rates, not future rates. Or kung nagma-manufacture sila dito, they may start carrying buffer stock ng raw materials para din hindi ma-impact ng higher transport costs. Or mag-stockpile ng produkto, especially kung hindi naman siya perishable,” added Batallones.</p><p>But he also noted that the private sector can only do so much, stressing the need for government interventions amid the volatile situation in the Middle East.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/9/oil-firms-agree-to-staggered-hikes-p17-to-p24-increases-expected-this-week-doe-1257">Oil firms agree to staggered hikes; P17 to P24 increases expected this week— DOE</a></div><p>The SCMAP, which also has logistics companies as members, is one with other groups in calling for the immediate suspension or lowering of fuel excise taxes.</p><p>“I think ito yung pinaka urgent na pwedeng gawin ng gobyerno talaga… Sana bilisan nila kasi the longer it takes for them to deliberate on that, mas mahihirapan ang consumer in the end,” said Batallones.</p><p>The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is currently in talks with manufacturing companies about possible price increases.</p><p>But until a decision is made, a group of supermarket owners urged the public to avoid panic buying, as this may result in an artificial shortage.</p><div><strong>‘DON’T PANIC BUY’</strong></div><p>“Don’t double what you’re buying. Because once you do, prices will go up immediately kahit hindi pa dapat. Kayo ang nakaka-cause ng pagtaas ng presyo,” warned Steven Cua, the President of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association.</p><p>Cua also noted that even if manufacturers start raising prices, retailers still need to think twice before following suit immediately.</p><p>“Pricing is a strategy. Habang meron ka pang stock, at ayaw mo pa magtaas, pwede mong kainin muna yung market ng kalaban diba? Nagtaas lahat sila ikaw hindi ka nagtaas, edi siyempre lahat magse-swerve sa’yo,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/6/motorists-adjust-fuel-expenses-as-pump-prices-surge-2303">Motorists adjust fuel expenses as pump prices surge</a> </div><div><strong>MARINA ISSUES CONTINGENCY MEASURES</strong></div><p>To reduce the cost of shipping operations and cushion the surge of fuel prices, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued an advisory, stating that it may waive the payment of the annual tonnage fees due this year.</p><p>It is also looking into granting a 75-percent discount on the payment of fees and charges on applications for the issuance of ship documents/certificates during the period of the crisis or suspending the implementation of new fees and charges.</p><p>It added that while shipping operators may implement fuel surcharges or fare adjustments of up to 20 percent of the base fare, any increase beyond this threshold will remain subject to MARINA’s evaluation. Once the crisis subsides, operators must remove any fuel surcharge and revert to pre-crisis passenger and cargo rates.</p><p>“Through these contingency measures, we aim to ensure the continued movement of passengers and essential goods across the country while providing necessary support to the domestic shipping industry during this period of uncertainty,” said MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/8/-napapanahon-na-ito-palace-wants-lower-fuel-excise-tax-1524">&#x27;Napapanahon na ito&#x27;: Palace wants lower fuel excise tax</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dbom0OQznec?si=RTN8ZF1U_hG7KYWV" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>A group of manufacturing companies on Monday said it is exploring different ways to mitigate the cost of rising fuel prices before passing on the burden to consumers.</p>

A group of manufacturing companies on Monday said it is exploring different ways to mitigate the cost of rising fuel prices before passing on the burden to consumers.

Supply chain group says raising prices of goods a ‘last resort’ despite rising fuel costs

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Supply chain group says raising prices of goods a ‘last resort’ despite rising fuel costs

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 09, 2026 06:07 PM PHT

Read More:

middle east war

prices of basic goods

oil prices

inflation

panic buying

supermarket

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