Gov’t sets 3-month price freeze, other anti-inflation measures

THE government and manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) have agreed to hold off price increases in the next three months or up to the end of the year.

Price freeze will be warmly welcomed by long-suffering consumers.

*** Malacañang likewise approved the suspension of special safeguard duty on onion and chicken imports and close monitoring of government rice importation and distribution.

No more supply-price choke. Time to mitigate soaring inflation.

*** Senator Cynthia Villar said she will sponsor for plenary deliberations the rice tariffication measure which will boost rice supply, and even led to the eventual abolition of the erratic National Food Authority (NFA).

More open rice importation could bring prices down, she said.

*** DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Ruth Castelo said BNPC manufacturers, representing the 235 items listed in the expanded suggested retail price (SRP), agreed in principle to stop increasing their prices in the next three months or until December 30 this year.

Yes to corporate social responsibility. No to greed and dizzying price increases.

*** “We requested manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities to hold off any price increase at least for the next three months. Response in principle is very positive…” said Castelo.

“Not a moratorium” in violation of the Price Act but a heeded appeal from government and Laban Konsyumer, she said.

*** Castelo added that some manufacturers even agreed to hold off SRP price increases until the first quarter of next year.

“Our appeal is preferably until next year. (So) some manufacturers will not increase their BNPC prices until next year,” she added.

*** Castelo said that so far, a firm commitment on price freeze was given by manufacturers of coffee, noodles, laundry and bath soap, soy sauce, patis (fish sauce), vinegar, bread and candles though manufacturers of canned sardines and meat have yet to commit.

Coffee and noodles cheers! Let other goods follow later.

*** The DTI confirmed that 40 percent of items under the SRP list have earlier increased their prices.

No more price violations or face the ire of consumers.

*** Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that the President’s economic managers, other Cabinet members, and tariff authorities met recently and “they decided to pursue (five) measures to lower prices firstly by approving the importation of round scad.”

The importation of galunggong gets priority.

*** Roque added the government would also temporarily suspend the special safeguard duty on imported chicken and onions.

In reduced price of onions, there is strength, men would naughtily say.

***

Roque said Agriculture Sec. Manuel Piñol also gave pork importers one month to maximize their importation and told vegetable importers to submit to “regular inspections” of their warehouses.

Yes to needed importation but no to hoarding.

*** Roque also assured the public there will be “close monitoring” of rice importation and distribution by the NFA in the wake of complaints that most imports have not yet reached the market.

Yes to more cheaper rice. No to memo-rice!