As the nationwide implementation of price freeze ends tonight, the public interest watchdog Laban Konsyumer has appealed to have the price moratorium extended until the MECQ is officially lifted at the end of this month.
The group has recommended the price freeze to take effect for six months or to impose it in areas under enhanced community quarantine including NCR.
“Nandoon pa rin ‘yong deklarasyon ng national emergency ayon sa Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (The declaration of national emergency is still there based on Bayanihan to Heal as One Act),” Atty. Vic Dimagiba of Laban Konsyumer said.
“Ang isinaad doon is to continue to ensure na walang (It was stated there to continue to ensure that there are no) profiteering, hoarding, cartel and other illegal price manipulating activity,” Dimagiba added.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assured it will not allow businesses to manipulate and control prices of products whenever they please even if the price freeze ends. It added that SRP shall revert and cover basic necessities and prime commodities.
The DTI said some companies are now requesting to increase their prices on canned meat products and condiments but USec. Ruth Castelo said the agency will not issue new SRPs. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
