Government deploys rolling stores, keeps an eye on hoarders to stabilize prices of commodities

Department of Trade and Industry / Wikipedia Photo

MANILA — In an effort to stabilize the prices of basic commodities, the government has deployed rolling stores to sell rice, garlic and ginger and is keeping suspected hoarders under surveillance, a Palace official said Tuesday.

“The government is exerting all efforts to ensure a stable supply of rice, garlic and ginger. Surveillance is being carried out to discourage hoarding and other practices that could lead to artificial shortage. Rolling stores have been deployed to sell these commodities,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing.

Coloma said the National Price Council, led by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, is closely monitoring the movement of prices of rice, garlic and ginger.

“While there are no suggested retail prices (SRPs) for these commodities, the National Price Coordinating Council may prescribe indicative prices, if needed,” he said, adding that SRPs only apply to manufactured goods.

Asked if the Department of Agriculture has met its target to ensure rice sufficiency, he said, “Hindi natamo nang ganap ‘yung rice sufficiency objectives. Pero ‘yung level of attainment ay mataas naman dahil lampas sa 90 percent.”