Solon urges DTI to impose price control on basic goods in Batangas

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should immediately impose price control on food and other essential items in the province of Batangas amid the recent eruption of Taal Volcano, a lawmaker said Monday.

In a statement, Kabayan partylist Representative Ron Salo cited RA 7581 or the Price Act of 1992, whose Section 6 states that prices of basic necessities in an area will be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under price control automatically if that area is proclaimed under a state of calamity.

"With the declaration of state of calamity in Batangas as a result of the volcanic eruption, DTI should immediately impose price control on basic necessities within the area consistent with The Price Act," Salo said.

"These include food supplies such as rice, corn, bread, canned foods, vegetables, fish, and other essential items like medicines," he added.

In the case of other affected areas like Metro Manila, Salo urged the DTI to  closely monitor the prices of basic necessities particularly face mask, following reports that their prices have shot up due to increased demand.

"In these times of calamities or emergencies, it is not only immoral but illegal to take advantage of the situation and profit from our people’s misery," Salo said.

"It is unconscionable that they can hardly extend assistance through their donations, and yet they would even desire to profit from the calamity," he added.

Salo urged consumers who have bought overpriced face mask online or from a reseller to report them immediately to the DTI and the police.

"Profiteers and hoarders of face masks can be charged with prohibited stockpiling, also known as hoarding, and profiteering under our laws, especially the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Price Act of the Philippines," he said. —LDF, GMA News