Food prices soar in island provinces as Sabah remains closed to trade

From InterAksyon (May 20): Food prices soar in island provinces as Sabah remains closed to trade

Reports reaching Manila indicated that food prices in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, as well as Basilan, have soared recently, unraveling a potential humanitarian crisis, due to the closure to cross border trade of Sabah with merchants mainly from the Sulu Archipelago.

The border closure started more than a month after, in the wake of Abu Sayyaf abductions of Malaysian sailors.

Traders in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu now have to source essential commodities like rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil and noodles from Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga is more distant for these island provinces than the ports of Sabah that have, for centuries, figured in a vibrant cross-border trade.

Residents of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu now buy rice priced at P1,100 per 25-kilogram pack, instead of P620. Sugar costs P2,900 per 50-kilogram pack instead of P1,600, while cooking oil that used to go for P60 per liter now are priced at P60. Noodles are P56 per kg, up from P30.

These prices raise fears of possible widespread hunger among Tawi-Tawi and Sulu residents, who are among the country’s poorest.

After a tripartite meeting on May 5, the Philippines agreed to cooperate with Malaysia and Indonesia in patrolling the Sulu and Celebes Seas, provide immediate assistance to people and ships in distress, share information and intelligence, and establish a 'hotline' for better coordination during emergencies and security threats.

A statement issued by Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women Association; Tulung Lupah Sug; and Tarbilang Foundation called on "the national and ARMM governments to closely monitor the situation in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. We urge them to work with Malaysia in reviving the trade between Sabah and the island provinces."

The groups noted the security challenges in the tri-border area and the necessity of making it safe for trade and travel. "However, trade has to resume soon if we are to ensure the survival of the livelihoods of hundreds of small traders and the welfare of thousands of residents in the southern Philippines."

http://interaksyon.com/article/128038/food-prices-soar-in-island-provinces-as-sabah-remains-closed-to-trade