THE number of basic commodities in short supply seems to be growing so quickly that it is hard to keep track of it all. As of Friday afternoon, the list included sugar, salt, onions and possibly potatoes, although the latter may just be a shortcoming of the several grocery stores in my neighborhood. As I sat down to write this, there was an advisory that there will soon be a shortage of the Beep cards used for public transportation, just in time for the start of the school year.

Ironically, the two things we expect to be in short supply during the spring and summer months — electricity and water — have remained adequate through their usual thin season. Whether this is a function of a bit of environmental luck or someone doing their job correctly for a change is unclear, but might be worthwhile to investigate, as it is a situation that would be very welcome if repeated.

Trade Assistant Secretary Claire Cabochan inspects packs of sugar for sale at a supermarket in Caloocan City on Friday, Aug. 19,  2022. PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN
Trade Assistant Secretary Claire Cabochan inspects packs of sugar for sale at a supermarket in Caloocan City on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN

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