PRRD warning profiteers, hoarders; Gov. Lacson appealing to local traders’ cooperation on pricing

President Rodrigo R. Duterte said business owners profiteering from consumer goods in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette may be arrested.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile issued an appeal for local traders’ cooperation on pricing of commodities.

In his prerecorded Talk to the People, Pres. Duterte threatened to order the arrest of business owners involved in the overpricing of basic goods and construction supplies in areas hit by the typhoon.

“Tell us if there has been a violation during this time because we will identify them and the Philippine National Police, we will ask them to arrest the hoarders and people who are taking advantage of the situation,” Duterte told Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

He emphasized the need to address profiteering, noting that people are already suffering.

“We have to put a stop to this and probably we can go ahead and cap the prices of the goods available especially medicine,” he added.

Lopez, for his part, confirmed that there were indeed business owners taking advantage of the people affected by the typhoon.
He said he already requested the PNP to be on the lookout against businessmen hiking the prices of goods.

“Ang order sa ating mga enforcers ay mag-aresto ng overpricing (Our order to enforcers is really to arrest those overpricing),” he said, noting that there have been many apprehensions made.

To date, Lopez said the DTI has so far urged these businesses to explain the increase in the prices of basic goods while others were issued letters of inquiry (LOI).

He added that those who were apprehended quickly reverted their prices.

On Dec. 21, Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1267 declaring a state of calamity in areas battered by Typhoon Odette, particularly Mimaropa (Region 4-B), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Northern Mindanao (Region 10), and Caraga (Region 13).

Proclamation No. 1267 is meant to hasten the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance.

The proclamation also aims to effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities in the affected areas and afford the national government, as well as local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation of and the continued delivery of basic services to affected populations.

Typhoon Odette left widespread devastation and damages when it hit parts of Visayas and Mindanao on Dec. 16, killing nearly 389 people and displacing over 1 million families.

GOVERNOR LACSON

Governor Lacson, meanwhile is appealing for the cooperation of local traders in view of reports of overpricing in typhoon-hit areas.
Lacson said prices of generators were the first to go up following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette that caused massive power outages due to downed poles.

Power in many parts of southern Negros Occidental is estimated to be restored in months.

The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), on the other hand reported that prices of dressed chicken also went up due to the typhoon, especially following reports that over one million chickens may have perished.

There is also a noted price increase in dressed chicken, especially as the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) had earlier reported that over one million chickens may have perished when the typhoon hit. Price increases in pork products as well.

The governor said that after every calamity there is price control on primary commodities, although some items such as construction materials are not under price control.

“We will continue to monitor and coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry,” Lacson said.

The governor is also studying a proposal to issue an executive order that will also include other products under price control.
“It depends on the Provincial Legal Office if that is possible,” he said.

Lacson is appealing to local traders not to take advantage of the situation, noting that some who were caught overpricing their products are claiming that the price increase was due to the suppliers imposed increases.

“Let’s not take advantage of the situation by raising the prices just so we could earn more money,” Lacson said.

Earlier, Lacson placed the entire province of Negros Occidental under a “state of calamity” after Typhoon “Odette” caused nearly P6 billion worth of damages.

Lacson also declared a price freeze on primary commodities in the province.* (Azer Parrocha/DGB)