Yorme appeals to vendors: Make a ‘sacrifice’

Consumers go shopping every day — morning, noon and night. This is important to me that is why I need to protect their interests

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso yesterday advised meat vendors to follow the government-set price ceiling on pork prices, and instead be thankful that they have a living despite the pandemic.

The mayor issued the statement following reports some vendors were having a hard time complying with the price ceiling.

He admitted the city finds itself in a “difficult, balancing act.”

“Producers, middlemen and vendors should cooperate. The national government has issued guidelines about the price cap. That’s why we have to follow it, or else those who don’t will face the consequences,” Domagoso said.

“We are employing diplomacy as much as we can, but we are sure and certain about our rules. If they violate them, they just might lose their means of livelihood,” he added.

The mayor said the city government’s utmost concern is the welfare and interest of consumers, or the buying public.

“Consumers go shopping every day — morning, noon and night. This is important to me that is why I need to protect their interests,” Domagoso explained.

He said the local government has to perform a “balancing act” that would take into consideration the earnings of the producers and those of the vendors and the protection of the buying public.

He called on the vendors to make a sacrifice during this time of the pandemic.

“Just a little sacrifice. If you earn a little, be thankful to the Lord at this time in the pandemic. But if you insist on earning what you used to make because you got used to having a little bit more money, set that aside for now,” he stressed.

“Just consider that you didn’t lose money, that you earned a little, you are healthy and safe, and that you have overcome the pandemic, that is already a blessing from God,” he added.

Due to the low supply and skyrocketing prices of pork and chicken products in major public markets, the national government decided to implement a price ceiling.

Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, defines the price ceiling as the “maximum price at which any basic necessity or prime commodity may be sold to the general public.”

Due to this, vendors declared a “pork holiday” last week in protest, as they justified their reasons for raising prices.