THE average retail price of well-milled rice increased in six regional trading centers in early September, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said in a report that the Sept. 1-5 period, which it calls the “first phase” of the month, were higher than the levels recorded in mid-August.

Prices in Legazpi City rose P4.42 to P40.42 per kilogram (/kg) from mid-August, those in Tuguegarao City were up P1.55 at P35.50, in Kidapawan City up 87 centavos at P39.75, in Iloilo City up 46 centavos at P38.58, in the National Capital Region (NCR) up 23 centavos at P43, and in Butuan City up four centavos at P42.24.

Declines were recorded in Calapan City, of P1.41 to P43.27. Average prices in Baguio City fell P1.30 to P38.27, in Pagadian City 76 centavos to P38.99, in Digos City 49 centavos to P43.20, and San Fernando City 48 centavos to P38.64.

The PSA said the average retail price of bone-in pork rose in five trading centers during the period.

Cebu City prices rose P21.67 to P205.83/kg. In Baguio City they rose P12.73 to P292.73, in Digos City P2.55 to P280.61, in Legazpi City P2.25 to P342.61, and in Cagayan de Oro City 50 centavos to P180.

Prices fell in San Fernando City by P80 to P230. In Calapan City they declined P34.53 to P285.47, in Butuan City P20.24 to P234.76, in Cabanatuan City P15 to P330, in the NCR P9.22 to P309.89, and in Iloilo City P5 to P245.

The PSA said the average retail price of galunggong (round scad) rose in five areas during the period.

San Fernando City prices rose P35 to P180/kg. In Legazpi City they were up P12.08 at P166.75, in Calapan City P11.11 at P233.33, in the NCR P5.23 at P231.67, and in Baguio City P2.43 at P170.

Prices decreased in Butuan City by P80.77 to P158.91. In Cabanatuan City they were down P50 at P170, in Tacloban City P33.48 at P133.91, in Digos City P25 at P110, and in Kidapawan City P3.72 at P152.56.

The PSA said the average retail price of red onion rose in nine trading centers during the period.

In Cabanatuan City prices rose P30 to P120/kg. In Pagadian City they were down P17.70 at P121.97, in Tuguegarao City P15 at P105, in Legazpi City P13.95 at P150.70, in Tacloban City P6.10 at P126.10, in Digos City P5.50 at P134, in Butuan City P3 at P132.50, in Baguio City P1.96 at P107.84, and in the NCR P1.34 at P111.78.

Prices fell in Calapan City by P5 to P125. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave