Senator Chiz Escudero has called on government agencies to strictly monitor and stabilize the prices of essential goods in provinces devastated by Typhoon Tino.
Escudero reminded authorities to enforce Republic Act No. 10623, which he authored to prevent price manipulation and profiteering during calamities. The law empowers the government to impose price ceilings on basic commodities when a state of calamity is declared.
“Ang pinakamahalaga para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo ay ang sapat na pagkain, gamot, at ang materyales para makumpuni ang mga nasirang bahay kaya nararapat lamang na may sapat na bilihin sa mga panahon na ito at walang gulangan pagdating sa presyo ng mga ito,” Escudero said.
He stressed that food, medicine, and construction materials must remain accessible to affected families, while price monitoring should continue throughout the state of calamity.
Under the law, essential goods such as bottled water, instant noodles, LPG, kerosene, and fresh produce may be placed under automatic price control, with violators facing fines and imprisonment for hoarding or price manipulation.