PCCI to mobilize local chapters to stabilize prices

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has offered to mobilize its chapters and business organizations nationwide to assist the government’s program allowing retailers to import rice and sugar provided they sell at pre-inflation levels and ensure that the lowering of prices can be felt as soon as possible, especially during the Christmas season.

PCCI, the voice of business and the country’s largest business organization, has 124 chapters and 110 business organizations scattered all over the country.

“We can help assist this program so the effects can be felt as soon as possible especially this Christmas season,” said PCCI President Alegria “Bing” Limjoco.

“We will also coordinate with PCCI members like Association of Supermarkets and the Philippine Retailers Association to ensure that prices of consumer goods and foodstuffs will be stable during the season,” she reiterated.

Limjoco said that the further lowering of the prices of rice and sugar will definitely bring down inflation.

On Friday, the government through the Department of Trade and Industry-National Food Authority and Sugar Regulatory Administration launched the program allowing retailers to import rice and sugar or tie up with importer and sell at prescribed pre-inflation retail prices of 139 per kilo and 150 for sugar.

Since this business model eliminates layers of traders, costs will be cheaper, resulting in lower prices, she said.

These special rice and sugar are now being sold initially in 88 Robinsons Supermarkets in Luzon and into its 160 outlets by next week.

“We will work with DTI to have this in more retail outlets as soon as possible in time before Christmas,” she added.

Limjoco cited the need to work on lowering the prices further as she pointed out that the high inflation being experienced in the country was due to the high prices and insufficient supply of these two main commodities.