By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The price of bread, a staple food in the Philippines, may increase in the coming days due to rising raw material costs. Chito Chavez, president of the Asosasyon ng Panaderong Pilipino, announced that the price hike is a result of the global oil price surge caused by the Middle East conflict.
Chavez explained that community-based bakeries, especially those in remote areas, will likely adjust their prices. To minimize the impact, some bakeries might reduce the size of their bread products instead of increasing prices drastically. “Para hindi tumaas nang malaki, papaliitin nang konti,” Chavez said, emphasizing that ingredient quality will be maintained.
The price increase will significantly affect small bakeries that lack the capital to sustain operations. “Uunawain po ninyo ‘yung maliliit na bakery sa ating kapitbahay. Gagalaw po agad ang presyo niyan dahil hindi nila kayang i-sustain ang operation dahil wala silang napakalaking puhunan,” Chavez appealed.
ia/xf
