Gov’t call for intensified price monitoring only an ’empty gimmickry’ — Gabriela

After the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture’s (DA) announcement to intensify price monitoring among retailers, Gabriela Women’s Party accused the government of attempting “to make an impression that it is doing something” amid price hikes.

“The truth is, the Duterte regime only wants to make an impression that it is doing something on rising prices amid mounting complaints by mothers and consumers when what it is really doing is to just watch prices soar,” Gabriela Representative Emmi de Jesus said on Wednesday in a statement.

“With their empty gimmickry, DTI and DA are shifting the blame on small traders who are also affected by rising prices and transport costs and who are increasingly being elbowed out by big supermarkets,” the lawmaker added.

Cover up?

De Jesus claimed that the call was a “cover up” to call attention away from the public’s clamor for higher wages and the junking of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Ang totoo, tinitiyak lang ng kita ng TRAIN law ang pondo para sa Build, Build, Build (BBB) program at military infrastructure na sasagasa rin sa mga mahihirap,” she said, clarifying that the TRAIN Law suspension would not lessen the budget for social services.

“Worse, women and the people are being made to bear the potential losses and additional costs of these projects especially with a depreciating peso and increase in interest rates on loans,” De Jesus said.

Noting the various factors affecting inflation, De Jesus said removing the TRAIN law and excise taxes on petroleum products will reduce costs for production and transportation.

Gabriela is leading a nationwide signature campaign for the repeal of TRAIN law, which will be filed before the Congress during President Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address.

Various groups have been rallying against TRAIN law due to the increase in the prices of goods although the DTI claimed that the price hikes were only minimal. — Carol Balita /INQUIRER.net intern