GINGOOG CITY – Shoppers here are urging local officials to address the persistently high prices of vegetables and other goods at the Gingoog’s Agora, a situation many say is causing hardship.
A shopper, who asked to be identified only as Marina, said vegetable prices at Gingoog’s Agora are significantly higher compared to Cagayan de Oro’s Cogon Market, even though the produce originates from the same sources.
“Wala mi mahimo mapugos gihapon mig palit. Ug hinaot unta masulbad ang kamahal sa mga presyo sa palaliton diri sulod sa Agora Gingoog,” she said.
Mayor Erick G. Cañosa acknowledged the “overpricing” issues within the market.
He stated he has identified a solution to the long-standing problem: the establishment of a Vegetable Trading Post.
Cañosa explained that the city has met with the board of directors of the Gingoog Market Vendors and Stall-Holders Association (GMVSA), led by President Rolando Pelias, to plan the trading post.
“This is our target,” Cañosa said, adding that the goal is for the city to lead the procurement of vegetables at fair prices, giving vendors and stall-holders direct access without relying on brokers and middlemen.
He said all vegetable products from Lunotan within the city or from the municipality of Claveria will be directly delivered to the trading post, eliminating brokers and middlemen.
A Gingoog Market vendor, who requested anonymity, explained why their cabbage sells for P100 to P120 per kilo, while the same vegetable is P40 to P60 at Cogon Market in Cagayan de Oro (as of this posting).
She attributed the difference to the high prices they pay to brokers and middlemen.
In contrast, she noted, vegetables from Claveria and Barangay Lunotan are brought directly to Bulua in Cagayan de Oro, bypassing intermediaries, which results in lower prices there.
GMVSA President Pelias affirmed that brokers and middlemen are the root cause of the high vegetable prices at Agora Gingoog.
He expressed hope that construction of the Vegetable Trading Post would begin soon.
