NEDA

NINE REGIONAL trading centers posted lower average retail prices for well-milled rice in early October, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said in a report that the retail prices cover a period that it calls the first phase of October (Oct. 1-5), and were compared with the second phase of September (Sept. 15-17).

The average price of well-milled rice declined in Butuan by P2.91 to P39.69 per kilogram.

The average price of well-milled rice declined in San Fernando City by P1.19 to P37.83, in Kidapawan City by 98 centavos to P42.21, in Batangas City by 75 centavos to P44.40, and in Baguio City by 43 centavos to P37.83.

Lower prices were also reported in the National Capital Region (NCR), where they fell 25 centavos to P42.85, in Calapan City by 17 centavos to P43.60, in Tuguegarao City by 13 centavos to P35.38, and in Iloilo City by eight centavos to P38.58.

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

Kidapawan City prices rose P20 to P230/kg, in Butuan City by P14.91 to P259.91, in Cebu City by P10.83 to P205.83, in San Fernando City by P5 to P300, and in Legazpi City by P3.38 to P343.74.

The PSA said prices fell in Calapan City by P27.63 to P257.84, in Tuguegarao City by P20 to P290, in the NCR by P18.49 to P269.85, and in Iloilo City by P14 to P226.

The PSA said the average price of round scad (galunggong) declined in Baguio City by P34 to P170/kg, in San Fernando City by P10 to P180, in Butuan City by P9.35 to P158.91, in Pagadian City by P8.75 to P96.25, and in the NCR by P5.59 to P226.75.

Price increases were recorded in Digos City by P40 to P155, in Tuguegarao City by P10 to P200, and in Iloilo City by P4.16 to P162.08. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave