Mark Villar wants alleged price hike, shortage of canned goods probed

Sen. Mark A. Villar (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution aiming to investigate the alleged price hike and supply shortage of manufactured products such as canned goods has been filed at the Senate.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mark Villar filed Resolution No. 193 on Thursday to conduct an inquiry on the issue as he expressed concern about the public’s capacity to buy commodities.

“Ako ay naghain ng resolution dahil sa mga ulat na nakarating sa atin na may posibilidad na magkukulang ang supply ng canned goods tulad ng sardinas resulta ng price increase sa tin plates, kamatis at iba pang raw ingredients,” said Villar in a statement on Friday.

(I lodged a resolution because of reports that there is a possibility that the supply of canned goods like sardines may be lacking as a result of the price increase of tin plates, tomatoes, and other raw ingredients.)

“The DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) already suggested buying Noche Buena needs this early. If that’s the case, gaano nalang kataas ang mga bilihin come December? We really need to look into this,” the neophyte senator added.

(The DTI already suggested buying Noche Buena needs this early. How expensive will the products become in December if that’s the case? We need to look into this.)

For Villar, the price stability of manufactured items is an important factor in food security to ensure that each Filipino can purchase them.

He likewise stressed the need to “promote the improvement of local industries, enhance market competitiveness and balance the welfare of both the producers and the consumers.”

The persisting price hikes weaken the purchasing power of the poor and marginalized sectors in the country, Villar pointed out in his resolution.

JMS/abc