Increasing Price of Goods in Puerto Princesa

Palawan has now become one of the most targetted tourist destinations as evidenced by more tourists coming in to see its many wonders. As a result, the original residents have to compete with the tourists in buying goods and in availing of services. This is just a simple demand and supply scenario.

 

One of the things that concern me now is the increasing price of goods in the market. Before, we seldom see bangus or galunggong sold in the wet market, and the price of tuna was ranging from 40 to 60 pesos. Now, yellow-fin tuna costs 120 pesos, but more so during bad weather days. Even the ubiquitous tilapia are now being sold. This is an externality of tourism in the province.

 

Malls also started to sprout about in many places in the city. The biggest one, Robinson's in Barangay San Manuel, opened recently. I'm a regular visitor of the mall because it's just a few kilometers away from our home. But if we cannot find our price, we proceed to NCCC in downtown Puerto Princesa or go back to Palawan 168 which is only walking distance away.

 

I'm just wondering if these malls make a profit as the population of Puerto Princesa is a mere 222,673 as of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing. Reportedly, the average annual population growth rate is 3.24% based on the population count from 2000 to 2010. This is actually almost double the annual population growth rate of the country at 1.9%.

 

This just means that as the population in Puerto Princesa and other parts of Palawan grow, the price of basic needs and services will also increase. Although tourism is a large earner to the city and the province as a whole, I'm just wondering who really gains from all of these. I still see people slugging sacks behind their backs.

 

Is this the price of development?