Pangilinan urges price freeze in areas affected by Odette

Vice presidential aspirant Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday urged the government to impose a price freeze in areas affected by Typhoon Odette as he warned of unscrupulous traders who might take advantage of the situation.

“The government should immediately order the freezing of prices in areas affected by Typhoon Odette. This will ensure that the people will be able to buy goods at their current prices and won't have to shell out extra money amid their dire condition,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“The price freeze will also prevent unscrupulous traders from raking in profit and exploiting the situation,” he added.

The lawmaker cited Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act which automatically imposes price control whenever there is a declaration of a state of calamity or emergency.

“[W]e urge the DTI not to wait for the declaration of local government units and immediately impose the price freeze given the wide area affected by the typhoon,” Pangilinan said.

While supermarkets and stores secured supplies for the holiday season, Pangilinan noted that the availability of the goods is guaranteed as some areas were submerged in floodwaters.

“In this calamity, the government must act with lightning speed to safeguard the welfare of our people and ensure they access to the basic necessities, especially for families who have lost everything to the flood,” Pangilinan said.

Typhoon Odette left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday.

The typhoon had brought destruction in several areas in Visayas and Mindanao, especially in the CARAGA region.

Bohol and Cebu already declared a state of calamity due to the damage caused by Odette. — BM, GMA News