Leody de Guzman seeks price freeze in 3 towns affected by Bulusan eruption

Labor leader and senatorial candidate Ka Leody de Guzman called for a price freeze on necessary goods for victims affected by the recent eruption of Mt. Bulusan.

In a statement on Wednesday, de Guzman also asked the national government to extend assistance to affected farming communities following the declaration of Alert Level 1 of “low-level unrest” of Mt. Bulusan.

De Guzman sought a price freeze on basic commodities in the towns of Iroson, Juban and Magallanes in Sorsogon.  He added that profiteers who will take advantage should also be held accountable.

“Bagamat wala pang direktang banta sa buhay ng mga tao sa paligid ng bulkan, tiyak akong malaki na ang pinsala ng ashfall pa lang sa kanilang kabuhayan. Hindi na mapapakinabangan ang mga bagong aning palay at iba pang pananim,” De Guzman said.

(Even if the eruption has no direct threat yet to lives, we are certain the ashfall will affect livelihoods.  The harvests have been damaged.)

“Malamang mas malaking bilang ng tao ang dapat ilikas pero tumatanggi silang ma-evacuate dahil nga sa paga-alala sa kanilang kabuhayan. Hindi naman nila maaring isama ang kanilang mga alagang manok, baboy o pato sa evacuation center,” he added.

(There could be more residents who need to be evacuated, but they are hesitant to leave behind their homes and animals.)

De Guzman also asked the government to consider forming a task force to immediately respond to the victims.

According to the Philippine Information Agency, 74,209 individuals or 14,830 families have been affected by the eruption. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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