MANILA – The Philippine Amalgated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) will fully support a price freeze on basic commodities in earthquake-affected areas if the government calls for it.
In a telephone interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, PAGASA president, Steve Cua, vowed that their member supermarkets would comply with such a government order.
“It’s more like a standard practice already for a member’s post-calamity. They know what to do," Cua said.
However, he asked for media support to help disseminate this information to their members.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier directed intensified price monitoring in areas of Luzon that were struck by a 6.1-magnitude tremor last Monday.
The Department of Energy on Wednesday also issued a moratorium on the prices of oil products in the 2nd District of Pampanga in the next 15 days, which applies to kerosene and household liquefied petroleum gas.
Aside from Luzon, separate earthquakes also rocked parts of the Visayas, Mindanao and the Bicol region.
“Price freeze” is the government’s mechanism to prevent unscrupulous businesses from taking advantage of the situation in calamity-affected areas. According to Lopez, this is normally implemented for 60 days.
With this, Cua expressed hope that the implementation period would depend on the nature of the calamity, and asked the government not to check on standard retail prices (SRPs) during calamities, "just for the purpose of free trade."
But Cua said that their members in affected areas have yet to receive a price freeze directive, “but rest assured we will support and comply.”
Similarly, the Philippine Federation of Bakers’ Associations, Inc. (PFBAI) will likewise support this government call.
Bread forms part of basic commodities, along with canned sardines, milk, water, and instant noodles, among others.
“During calamities, our priority is service to our people, not profit,” said PFBAI vice president and spokesperson Lucito Chavez said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Like the supermarket group, the country's "panaderos" are likewise oriented on post-calamity practices.
Chavez explained that bread products like canned food, are the most common relief goods given to calamity victims because these items are easy to pack and distribute in a hurry. (PNA)
