By Alec Go
National government agencies are coming up with possible legal actions and measures to respond to increasing onion prices following a special National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) attended by several national government agencies on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual, the NPCC chair, called for the meeting to talk over measures to improve onion supply and mitigate the impact of its soaring prices on consumers.
“Given this crucial situation, we are to deliver immediate results to temper the prices of goods and ensure the availability of affordable basic necessities and prime commodities for consumers. We must tap other agencies who can be our allies in this endeavor,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
The DTI said it will continue to assist the DA, which has jurisdiction over agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities, on the monitoring of prices of agricultural products and in ensuring red onion supply in the market.
The DTI said the government is addressing the issue especially on the supply chain starting from farmgate to retailers.
It also called on business establishments to comply with the basic necessities price freeze in areas under state of calamity.
Consumers can report those selling basic necessities over their suggested retail prices to the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph. – gb
