Overpricing of goods slammed

House Deputy Speaker and 1Pacman partylist Rep. Michael L. Romero yesterday urged law enforcers to arrest business owners and individuals found overcharging face masks, vital medicines, and other consumer items as the Taal Volcano eruption continues to wreak havoc on a large portion of Luzon.

Romero called on pharmaceutical and grocery stores, especially the leading drugstores in the country, to help government in efforts to curb hoarding of basic needs.

“In times of national emergencies such as the ongoing Taal volcanic activity, police and other law enforcement agencies are expected to act swiftly to stop abusive practices such as hoarding and overpricing of vital consumer items and health needs,” said Romero, president of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. composed of 54 party-list lawmakers in the House.

The House official slammed business owners for jacking up prices of face masks to as much as 200 percent of the original retail price.

“Greed and exploitative practices must not go unpunished,” said Romero.

House Assistant Majority Leader and ACT CIS party-list Rep. Nina Taduran backed Romero in urging stronger action against hoarders and price manipulators.

Taduran called on all water concessionaires to provide uninterrupted water to communities affected by the ash fall from Taal Volcano.

“It has come to my attention that certain stores have been charging ₱200 and up per N95 mask, and there are several individuals who are raking in immense profit after hoarding the masks and selling them online. They face a penalty of ₱10,000 fine or imprisonment of up to one year or both under the Consumer Law,” says Taduran.