“There is no more reason for the prices of pork and chicken products to skyrocket.”
This according to Quezon City 5th District Councilor Karl Castelo who, over the weekend, randomly inspected the prices of pork and chicken products in markets and groceries.
“First, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the imposition of price caps. Second, a sub-Task Group composed of the DA (Department of Agriculture) and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) was formed to run after hoarders and profiteers. Third, the DOJ (Department of Justice) already ordered the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to conduct an investigation and case build-up for possible violations of RA 7581 or the Price Act and penal laws against monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade. Kapag may lumusot pang kalokohan sa pinagsamang pwersa ng mga ahensya na ito, ewan ko na lang,” lamented Castelo, who is on his third and last term as Councilor.
“Kapag may lumusot pang kalokohan sa pinagsamang pwersa ng mga ahensya na ito, ewan ko na lang.”
On February 1, President Duterte signed an executive order imposing a price cap on selected pork and chicken products in Metro Manila.
On February 4, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that a sub-Task Group on Economic Intelligence to go after smugglers, profiteers, and hoarders of agricultural products was instructed by the President to be organized during the 51st cabinet meeting held the day before.
On February 8, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra directed the NBI to investigate groups or individuals profiteering and hoarding agricultural products, including pork.
“Tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan na bantayan ang presyo at isumbong ang abusado.”
“Napakahirap na ng buhay na dinadanas ng pamilyang Pilipino. Hindi dapat makalusot ang mga mapagsamantala. Tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan na bantayan ang presyo at isumbong ang abusado,” said Castelo.
“We have to survive this pandemic, together. One way of making our life livable is to help one another at this time of need, not take advantage of the poor and powerless,” concluded Castelo.