Sotto to gov’t: Keep market prices reasonable amid pandemic

(FILE) Department of Agriculture-Bantay Presyo Coordinator Jerry Pelayo and Eduardo Gongona, Undersecretary of Fisheries for Department of Agriculture and Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conduct pork and fish price monitoring operations at the Maypajo Public Market, Caloocan City, on Monday, February 15. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III called on the national government to make sure that prices of basic commodities and services will remain reasonable and affordable amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

On Saturday, the Philippines had its highest number of COVID-19 cases recorded by the Department of Health with 7,999 patients.

“Buhay na buhay na naman ang takot sa puso ng ating mga kababayan. Muli na namang bumalik sa kanilang mga ala-ala ang mga hirap at pasakit na kanilang hinarap noong umpisa ng pandemya. Ang mga Pilipino, kaya nilang magtiis, pero hindi nila kayang magutom,” said Sotto in a statement.

(Fear is once again alive in the hearts of our countrymen. What they felt at the start of the pandemic is back. Filipinos are resilient but they should never be hungry.)

“The government needs to assure our people that it is on top of the situation, that it is committed to protect everyone not only from the virus but also from unscrupulous individuals who have the gall to exploit our current state to enrich themselves.” 

He added that government leaders should learn from what happened in 2020 when prices of meat and grain skyrocketed.

There were cases when the price of pork went as high as P300 a kilo.

Sotto said the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases should make sure that trade routes should never be blocked or held in checkpoints.

“The IATF should make sure that the transport of rice, vegetables, and other agriculture products is not blocked or held in checkpoints. It should come up with stricter and immediate sanctions against scheming individuals or companies,” said Sotto.

“Our people deserve competent and reliable leaders during these difficult times. People will follow and sacrifice if they see that the government’s programs are efficient and effective.”

/MUF