MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday ordered joint teams from the Philippine National Police and the Department of Trade and Industry to crack down on traders amid reports of hoarding of rice and other basic food supplies.
In a radio interview, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he ordered the conduct of surprise inspections of warehouses to ensure the continuous flow of goods into areas under lockdown due to the coronavirus disease.
“I have been getting reports of hoarding of goods, mainly rice; so I am giving a stern warning to our businessmen and rice millers not to resort to hoarding or they will pay a very heavy price,” he said.
According to Año, he has been receiving reports from local officials that a number of traders, mainly of rice, have been hoarding their supplies.
Ensure continuous flow
“Some governors and mayors have been providing me these information, so we will respond to all these in order to ensure the continuous flow of food supplies,” he said.
The DILG chief said traders should maintain a free flow of supplies, as these have already been given exemptions on the restrictions during the 30-day lockdown period.
“(Food businesses) must still be in operation, even with just a skeletal workforce. They must continue to operate in order to provide the need for food of citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP said on Saturday that it already addressed concerns of meat processors who had complained that some raw materials for their products were being blocked at checkpoints.
The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. earlier said two of its members stopped operations because of this, and warned that there could be a shortage of canned goods in Luzon next month.
The raw materials blocked included tin cans and labels.
PNP Brig, Gen. Bernard Banac said that police personnel on the ground had been told not to delay the deliveries.
—With a report from Leila B. Salaverria