Nograles calls on DTI to step up price monitoring | Inquirer News

Nograles calls on DTI to step up price monitoring

By: - Reporter / @MRamosINQ
/ 07:54 PM August 23, 2018

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles on Thursday called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to step up its price monitoring of basic commodities after local officials placed Zamboanga City under a state of calamity due to the spiraling price of rice.

Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, warned that callous traders may be taking advantage of the situation to rake in profits and blame the Duterte administration’s tax reform package for bringing up the cost of basic goods.

“We have to send a message that profiteering does not pay. Government must make it clear that if businesses try to illegally pad their profits, they will literally pay for their crimes,” he said in a statement.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Davao lawmaker said DTI’s provincial offices should be on their toes in protecting people in the provinces who bear the brunt of the rising price of commodities.

FEATURED STORIES

He also called on the public to report to authorities businesses suspected of violating the suggested retail prices imposed by the DTI.

“The (prices) of basic goods are in the DTI website. If we notice that a store is not following this standard, then report them,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Zamboanga City under state of calamity due to rice shortage

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the proposed tariffication of rice and fish would only promote smuggling and flood the local market with imported rice and fish.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the move of President Duterte’s economic team would “fully open the floodgates of imported rice and fish,” adversely affecting the local fishermen and rice farmers.

“(I)nstead of lowering the prices of our staple food, it will in fact cause the increase of prices… because importers and businessmen would just pass on their added cost to consumers,” Zarate said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Imported fish like galunggong can also be dangerous to our health because some may contain even formaldehyde to preserve the fish,” he cautioned. /ee

READ: Tainted ‘galunggong barred’ from PH markets, says Palace

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Local news, Philippines

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.