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MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has proposed a measure that would include construction materials in the list of basic necessities and other essential goods subject to price control in times of emergency and calamity.
Barbers filed House Bill No. 9958 to stabilize the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and prescribe measures against undue price increases during emergencies.
Barbers aims to include among “basic necessities” and “prime commodities” defined in Republic Act No. 10623 selected construction materials, such as galvanized iron sheets, construction nails, steel bars, hollow blocks, plywood, and cement.
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According to Barbers, if construction materials were considered basic necessities, their prices would be automatically frozen during a state of calamity, thus protecting consumers affected by any fortuitous event.