Price increases
PRICES of goods, particularly food and other basic necessities, continue to increase not only in the heavily-populated Metropolitan Manila area but throughout the nation.
Like other well-meaning people, we believe that concerned government offices and agencies, national and local, are in a position to protect the interests of consumers.
In the view of many quarters, including low-salaried government and private sector employees, there’s that urgent need to put in place safety nets to blunt price hikes.
Besides, they said, government authorities ought to hit hard at hoarders, price manipulators, profiteers and other unscrupulous businessmen across this Southeast Asian nation.
What is important now is for the government not to allow the costs of goods and services to spiral beyond the reach of the poor, who comprise the bulk of the population.
“Huwag na huwag nating pabayaan na patuloy na pagsamantalahan ng ibang ‘highly enterprising businessmen’ ang naghihirap na taumbayan,” according to irate consumers.
Of course, the situation is not helped any by the presence of a few men and women in government uniform, who connive with erring traders to create artificial shortages.
Filipino consumers, especially those in the impoverished countryside, are in for more problems if concerned state authorities fail to go after these unscrupulous traders.
With more people going hungry and losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot overemphasize the importance of punishing hoarders and profiteers.
Tama ba kami, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual?
