MANILA, August 9, 2012-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who earlier had called for a "price hike holiday" in light of the massive flooding and calamity in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, now slams those involved in "jacking up" the prices of vegetables and other food products and basic commodities amid a government-imposed price control.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo on Tuesday said that "price control" on basic commodities takes effect “as soon as a State of Calamity is declared.” Domingo added, "Profiteering and valuation of the price tag are punishable under the law."
Areas now under a state of calamity at the height of monsoon rains and flooding include many cities in Metro Manila, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bulacan, Laguna, and even parts of Palawan. Information obtained from some government and private sector sources, however, point to price hikes in vegetables, sardines, instant noodles, and water, and emergency items such as batteries and candles.
"Ni hindi pa nga nakakabangon ang taumbayan mula sa grabeng pagbaha, ito na naman at may dagdag na naman tayong pasanin dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Para yatang walang kaluluwa itong mga sakim at ganid na negosyanteng mga ito," Pangilinan says. He laments how some parties are taking advantage of the calamity to turn a higher profit.
"Ang kita, kaya namang bawiin e, pero ang pahirapan ang kapwa-tao kapag lubog na nga ito sa hirap--ayan, walang makakabawi diyan," the lawmaker points out.
He adds, "Ang tawag sa mga ganyan: hindi maka-Pilipino. Lubog na nga ang bayan, tinatalo pa tayo sa presyo. At hindi lang ang mga mamimili ang niloloko nila, pero pati na rin ang mga magsasaka. Binabarat nila ang mga magsasaka na walang mapaglagyan ng mag pananim, tapos ibebenta nila nang mahal. Sila lang ang masaya sa sitwasyong ganito."
Pangilinan encourages those with information against profiteering groups to bring them out into the open and expose traders and other entities out to take advantage of the public during this critical time. He also encourages consumers and retail outlets to source their fresh produce directly from farmers and farming cooperatives, whenever possible, to avoid being duped by profiteering middlemen.
"Sa ganitong paraan, hindi nabibiktima ang mga tao ng mga negosyanteng mapanamantala. Dahil kapag ganito nang ganito ang sitwasyon, tuluyan nang malulugi ang mga magsasaka at hindi na makapagtatanim. Saan tayo kukuha ng ating pagkain pag nagkataon?"
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