Senatorial candidate Luis “Manong Chavit” Singson has called on the government to address the rising prices of basic goods, particularly vegetables, which have become a heavy burden for Filipino families.

In a statement, Singson expressed his concern over the skyrocketing cost of everyday vegetables, highlighting that a single tomato now costs P20.

“How can we expect our people to make ends meet when something as simple as buying vegetables has become a struggle?” asked Singson.

He noted that the sharp increase in vegetable prices was not only hurting the poor but was also putting immense pressure on middle-class families who are feeling the strain of inflation.

“The government must address the root causes of this problem,” Singson emphasized, stressing that immediate action is necessary to ensure food security for all Filipinos.

Empowering farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector

Manong Chavit, a strong advocate for national issues, pointed to the lack of support for local farmers as a key reason for the rising prices. He stressed that empowering the agricultural sector is crucial for long-term food stability.

“We must provide farmers with resources and knowledge to produce high-quality goods and meet local demand,” said Singson, who is No. 58 on the Senate ballot.

To strengthen agriculture, Manong Chavit proposed financial aid, subsidies, and low interest loans to help farmers boost production and reduce reliance on imports. He also called for more training in modern and sustainable farming practices to improve productivity.

Improving agricultural infrastructure and logistics

Singson highlighted the inadequate agricultural infrastructure as another key reason for the high vegetable prices, noting that poor storage, inefficient transport, and lack of cold storage lead to spoilage and delays.

To solve this, Manong Chavit proposed improving agricultural logistics and reducing waste, ensuring that vegetables reach the markets fresh and on time. He stressed the need for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop better infrastructure and create a more reliable and affordable supply chain.

“Improving storage and transport will help lower prices, benefiting both farmers and consumers,” Singson said.

Streamlining distribution and reducing middlemen

Another solution proposed by Manong Chavit is streamlining the vegetable distribution process to minimize the impact of middlemen, who often mark up prices unnecessarily. He called on the government to facilitate direct connections between farmers and consumers through cooperatives, local markets, or digital platforms that would enable direct transactions.

“Reducing the number of intermediaries can help bring down the prices of vegetables, making them more affordable for families,” Singson said. “We need to ensure that farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers or retailers at a fair price.”

Promoting urban and backyard farming

In addition to supporting traditional farming, Manong Chavit advocated for promoting urban farming, community gardens, and backyard farming as ways for families to cope with rising food prices. He believes that urban and suburban households can grow their own vegetables, reducing their dependence on commercial supply chains and making fresh produce more accessible.

“Urban farming can be a solution to some of the challenges we face with food prices,” Singson remarked. “If we provide the public with the tools and resources to grow their own food, we can empower them to take control of their own nutrition and reduce household expenses.”

Climate-resilient agriculture

Manong Chavit also emphasized the need for investment in climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming methods to address the impact of climate change. He pointed out that natural disasters like typhoons and droughts have long affected agriculture, reducing yields and raising prices.

“Farmers must have access to resilient crops and technologies to thrive in a changing climate,” he said, stressing the importance of addressing this challenge to stabilize food prices in the future.

Price regulation and consumer protection

Singson also called for stricter regulation of vegetable prices to protect consumers from unfair pricing.

He suggested that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry monitor prices and intervene to prevent excessive markups.

“The government must act when prices spike unnaturally and stop profiteering practices,” he said.