Duterte asked to impose price cap on basic, other goods
By Teresa D. Ellera
A RESOLUTION recommending to President Rodrigo Duterte the imposition of a price ceiling to basic necessities and other commodities, especially in areas badly hit by Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental, was passed by the Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC) on Monday, December 27.
Chaired by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the PPCC recommended the inclusion of potable water, poultry, and livestock products, galvanized iron (GI) sheets, construction materials, solar panels and generator sets, among others, in the price cap.
Lacson said this is to ensure that these commodities are adequate, affordable and accessible to all Negrenses throughout the duration of the state of calamity brought about by Typhoon Odette.
Citing initial reports from price monitoring conducted by the PPCC, current retail prices of basic necessities and prime commodities have drastically increased that put additional burden on typhoon victims.
Lacson added that the imposition of a price ceiling provides effective and sufficient protection to Negrense consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and predatory pricing of goods during a state of calamity.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II stressed the necessity of a price ceiling as the current price freeze being imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is only for the basic commodities.
Lacson made an appeal earlier to the business sector to be humane in imposing price for their goods in this time when the province has also been devastated by the typhoon.
The Provincial Government earlier noted an increase in the prices of generator sets in areas badly-hit by the typhoon.
Prices of chicken have also gone up to at least P240 per kilo, especially in southern Negros Occidental although the Office of the Provincial Agriculture and Provincial Veterinary Offices are yet to submit their respective official reports.
