Congressman Calls for Investigation into Skyrocketing Tomato Prices

In a move to address the alarming increase in tomato prices, Agri Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee has initiated a call for a congressional investigation. On January 8, 2025, Lee introduced House Resolution No. 2158, urging a detailed examination into the reasons behind the price surge, which has seen tomatoes priced at up to PHP360 per kilogram in certain regions. The resolution, made public the following day, aims to uncover any illegal activities such as price manipulation, hoarding, and cartel operations that might be artificially driving up costs. Lee emphasized that while natural factors like adverse weather and production issues could be contributing to the price hike, there is a significant concern about the involvement of price manipulators, hoarders, and smugglers. He stressed the necessity for a thorough legislative inquiry to explore not only these illegal practices but also systemic inefficiencies in the agricultural and market supply chains. The impact of these high prices on consumers and the broader economy is a pressing issue that Lee believes requires immediate government action to protect both consumers and Filipino farmers. The Department of Agriculture has indicated that prices might stabilize by late January or early February as production ramps up again. Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa pointed out that the price surge is partly due to the damage inflicted by typhoons in 2024 on solanaceous crops in areas such as Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Bicol.