IATF reactivates price coordination councils amid COVID-19 emergency

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the reactivation of the Local Price Coordination Councils (LPCCs), which will monitor food supply and prices during the enhanced community quarantine brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) approved the reactivation of LPCCS to help implement the suggested retail price (SRP) scheme, issue warnings, and apprehend violators.

This is in line with efforts to curb the "excessive and unreasonable" price spikes of agri-fishery commodities, processed products, and medicines.

"Our aim is to protect consumers against undue price spikes as the nation is under a state of emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019," said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier this month imposed a nationwide price freeze on basis necessities.

Among the basic goods, under the DTI, covered by the price freeze are canned fish and other marine products, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture covers basic goods such as rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, and fresh fruits.

Basic goods under the Department of Health (DOH) cover essential drugs, firewood and charcoal for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and household LPG and kerosene under the Department of Energy (DOE).

"In all, we have enough food for the next two months. We are enhancing needed measures to ensure food security in strong cooperation with all sectors, most particularly with all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and barangay leaders in ensuring the unhampered transport of agricultural products and farm and fishery inputs, including movement of farmers, fishers, and workers in the food value chain," said Dar. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News