Government keep watch on overpricing of basic commodities
Posted on October 2nd, 2009
The government on Thursday warned traders who will take advantage of recent calamity that struck our countrymen and raise the prices of basic commodities. The Department of Agriculture said that those who will be caught overpricing will have their business closed and will be filed with criminal charges.
DA Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla said they have monitoring teams who are checking price movements of all agriculture and fishery products around Metro Manila market. He said the government would be cracking down hard on violators of the Republic Act No. 7581 or the Automatic Price Control Act.
RA 7581 is being implemented by the DA, the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as the other government agencies in the aftermath of tropical storm Ondoy.
The DA undersecretary said they have received reports of overpricing of pork, chicken, vegetables and other goods in places like Farmers’ Market and Murphy Market in Cubao, Quezon City; Kalentong Market in Mandaluyong City; Cogeo Market and Masinag Market in Antipolo City; Susano Market in Novaliches, Roxas Public Market and Commonwealth Market, all in Quezon City; as well as in talipapa or makeshift outlets in many parts of the metropolis.
“These complaints will be verified and these markets will be monitored for compliance with the DA-DTI Automatic Price Control,†Fondevilla said, and added that, “appropriate action will be taken against the profiteers after inspection and validation.â€
Fondevilla said that most of the complaints received said that the per-kilo commodity prices exceeded government-set price ceilings by as much as P10 per kilo. These complaints were already referred to concerned government agencies like the DTI for price increases in canned goods, and the National Meat Inspection Services for the sale of expired frozen meat in areas like the Obrero Market in Blumentritt. He issued an advice that consumers should not buy frozen meat in Obrero Market in Blumentritt.
For complaints, Fondevilla said consumers can report to the DA through telephone numbers 920-2216 and 926-8203.
