By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public of a sufficient food supply and stable prices for basic and prime commodities amid rising fuel costs from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
During his visit to the Century Pacific Food, Inc. distribution center in Calamba City, Laguna on Friday, the President expressed his gratitude to the private sector for its commitment to keeping prices of necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) stable.
“Kaya [nagpapasalamat] tayo sa… private sector, kagaya ng Century, na sila ay pumayag na huwag itaas muna—huwag itaas ang presyo ng bilihin,” he said, vowing that the government would continue monitoring market prices closely.
“Hindi lamang ang Century kundi ang iba’t ibang mga food processors at saka retailers ay maayos naman ang stock… At bukod pa roon ay sila naman ay pumapayag na to keep the prices na hindi muna… tataas ang presyo hangga’t kaya nila. Kaya siguro mga isang buwan, ‘yung iba baka dalawang buwan hindi magagalaw ‘yung presyo,” Marcos said.
Following a meeting with Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque on March 16, some 21 manufacturers of canned sardines, bread, bottled water, instant noodles, coffee, canned meat, toilet soap, and candles committed to maintain the prices of BNPCs for the next 30 to 60 days.
“Hindi kailangan na mag-alala ang [taumbayan]. Ang food supply natin ay sapat kahit na pangmatagalan,” the Chief Executive said.
“Patuloy natin mino-monitor ito para naman ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng [taumbayan] ay naaalagaan at naaalalayan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is closely monitoring BNPC prices, particularly in groceries and supermarkets, to ensure no price increases are implemented.
She said the President’s directive is to maintain constant coordination with manufacturers and industry to ensure sufficient food supply.
“Ang importante talaga ngayon, is really to make sure that they have enough inventory to supply yung mga needs ng ating mga kababayan,” the DTI chief said in a Radio Television Malacañang interview.
One of the largest food processing companies in the country, CNPF can produce and store about 36 million canned food and other basic goods, equivalent to up to 45-day supply in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
CNPF Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Gregory Francis Banzon said they are trying to make their operations as efficient as possible to maintain the prices of their products amid the impact of geopolitical tensions on oil, shipping, and commodity costs.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ang production namin and we will endeavor to keep our prices affordable. Nagtataasan lahat ng presyo pero for as long as we can reasonably hold it, we are making sure na we are able to deliver affordable products to our countrymen,” Banzon said.
-jpv
