Anti-hoarding, anti-panic buying ordinance to be implemented in Valenzuela

An ordinance prohibiting hoarding and panic buying will be implemented in Valenzuela City amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.

Under Ordinance No. 669, a consumer may only buy the following basic commodities for a limited quantity per day to ensure that adequate supply will be available to families:

•     Canned sardines - 6 pieces
•     Other canned goods (meatloaf, corned beef, tuna, etc.) - 3 pieces per  category
•     Powdered milk - 1 kilo
•     Powdered milk (sachets) - up to 12 sachets
•     Milk formula - 1 kilo
•     Coffee refill - 1 packet (if above 200 grams) up to 4 packets (if less than 200 grams)
•     Coffee (3 in 1) - up to 12 sachets
•     Bread - 3 packages
•     Instant noodles - 12 packs
•     Eggs - 1 dozen
•     Cooking oil - 2 liters
•     Sugar - 2 kilos
•     Rice - up to 50 kilos
•     Alcohol - up to 2 bottles (if 500 ml), up to 3 bottles (if less than 500 ml),  and 1 bottle (if more than 500 ml)
•     Hand sanitizers - 3 bottles (100 ml)
•     Toilet papers - 6 rolls
•     Kitchen towels - 3 rolls
•     Bath soaps - 6 pieces
•     Liquid hand soap - 2 bottles (if 500 ml), 3 bottles (if less than 500 ml)
•     Disinfectant solutions (Clorox, Lysol, Domez, etc.) - up to 1 gallon
•     Face masks - 10 pieces
•     Multivitamins/Vitamin C - 1 box (100 pieces), 1 bottle

Meanwhile, the following limits are imposed for retailers or stores and establishment-owners per day:

•     Canned sardines - 24 pieces
•     Other canned goods (meatloaf, corned beef, tuna, etc.) - 12 pieces per category
•     Powdered milk - up to 5 kilos
•     Powdered milk (sachets) - up to 5 line bulks
•     Milk formula - up to 5 boxes or cans
•     Coffee refill - up to 10 packets (if above 200 grams), up to 15 packets (if less than 200 grams)
•     Coffee (3 in 1) - 10 line bulks
•     Bread - 10 packages
•     Instant noodles - 48 packs
•     Eggs - 5 dozens
•     Cooking oil - up to 5 liters
•     Sugar - up to 10 liters
•     Rice - 150 kilos (3 sacks)
•     Alcohol - 15 bottles (300 ml), 10 bottles (500 ml), 5 bottles (if above 500 ml)
•     Hand sanitizers - 10 bottles (100 ml)
•     Toilet papers - up to 48 rolls
•     Kitchen towels - up to 10 rolls
•     Bath soaps - up to 24 bars of different kinds
•     Liquid hand soap - 10 bottles (500 ml)
•     Disinfectant solutions (Clorox, Lysol, Domez, etc.) - 3 gallons
•     Face masks - 100 pieces
•     Multivitamins/Vitamin C - 5 boxes (500 pieces), 5 bottles

According to the post, the business permit of any establishment caught violating the limitations may be revoked or their establishments may be closed down.

Valenzuela will also create a Task Force to ensure that the ordinance will be followed.

The ordinance will be implemented amid issues of some Filipinos buying disinfectant and food in bulks as the number of COVID-19 positive cases rose in the country

For its part, the Malacañang has said that hoarders may face jail time for their actions. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News