Senator Nancy appeals to Bohol, Cebu retailers to respect price freeze
... Calls on DTI to closely monitor basic goods' price levels

Senator Nancy Binay appealed to all retailers in Bohol and Cebu to maintain the prevailing prices of basic commodities and strictly follow the price freeze imposed by the national government in areas affected by the earthquake.

"I've visited many areas here [Tagbilaran, Bohol] and met with the victims of the earthquake. I have seen firsthand that many of the stores here are selling basic goods at prices higher than usual. I ask these retailers to please stop this practice. Let us not take advantage of this tragedy, let us replace greed with bayanihan," Senator Binay said.

"The earthquake has left many of our kababayans without homes, food and water. We should all be helping them pick themselves up from this tragedy. Please do not make this any harder for them. I am not appealing for charity, just a little humanity," Binay added.

The senator said she was deeply concerned for mothers who are unable to feed their hungry children because of the abnormally high prices of noodles and canned sardines.

It was reported that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will release a list of suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic commodities within in the day. The list is still not available as of press time.

Online news agency Interaksyon reported that DTI Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Group officer-in-charge Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said that the price freeze will be in place for the next 60 days as mandated by Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act.

Senator Binay also urged the DTI to closely monitor the supply and prices of goods in earthquake-hit areas. She also asked the agency to coordinate with their regional and provincial offices to check with food distributors on their stocks so contingency measures can be made to counter possible food shortages.

"A lot of donations and other goods are now coming in but we must make sure that there is enough food and water for all. But the DTI must closely monitor the prices as not all retailers are following the price freeze. Tumaas daw lahat ng mga bilihin," Binay said.

The price control law covers a number of basic food stuff such as rice; corn; bread; fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; roots crops. It also includes other prime commodities such as coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and medicine classified essential by Department of Health (DOH).

It was reported that the DTI had already deployed several teams to monitor the situation yesterday but the price freeze is still not implemented by a number of stores and retailers.