PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday ordered all concerned police units to closely monitor market activities against possible hoarding and overpricing activities of some personalities taking advantage of the devastations brought about by typhoon ‘Odette.’

Carlos said he has directed his men to watch out for price control and trade violations by unscrupulous traders and businessmen who may take advantage of the calamity situation to hike prices of basic and essential commodities in areas placed under ‘state of calamity.’

He added that the PNP will fully support the Department of Trade and Industry in imposing an automatic ‘price freeze’ on goods in Camarines Norte, Cebu, Bohol and Negros Occidental which are now under a ‘state of calamity’ in the aftermath of the destructive effects of ‘Odette.’

Aside from post-disaster relief and rehabilitation operations and disaster management measures being carried out by the PNP, police units in the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels were given added duties to monitor prices of goods in their respective areas to ensure proper implementation of Republic Act 7581 or The Price Act.

Carlos cited Sections 6 and 7 of Republic Act 7581 or The Price Act, which expressly provides that “prices of basic necessities in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control whenever that area is proclaimed or declared a disaster area or under a state of calamity; and a price ceiling may be imposed on any basic necessity or prime commodity considering the impendency, existence, or effects of a calamity.”

Basic commodities collectively refer to rice; corn; bread; fresh dried and canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; root crops; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health.

Violation of RA 7581 carries a penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P1 million

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon