Villar wants price control on basic food products

Senator Manny Villar. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Manny Villar on Thursday recommended that basic food products be included in the price control list to prevent price manipulation, especially during times of calamities as stipulated in SB 1306.

Speaking to reporters after the joint hearing of the Senate committees on Trade and Commerce, and Health and Demography on a proposal to amend Senate Bill 1306 or the “Protection From Price Gouging Against Disaster Victims Act,” Villar said commodities like bottled water, canned goods, medicines, noodles and cooking gas should be included in the list.

“If we have this law there will be no more abnormal price increases in times of emergencies,” Villar said.

He added that they are still reviewing the list of items and are eyeing other products that may be included. He added that rice and sugar should also be included in the list

Villar said that there have been reports of businessmen jacking up prices of basic commodities following the deluge that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces last week.

Meanwhile, Villar expressed confidence that this bill will breeze through the Senate.