Expanded list of basic commodities eyed

MANILA -- Expanding the list of basic commodities under the law will help protect the public from unfair price increases during calamities, Senator Manny Villar said Friday.

Villar, chairman of the committee on trade and commerce, sponsored on Wednesday the committee report on the bill amending the Price Act (Republic Act 7581).

The report recommended the inclusion of locally-manufactured noodles and bottled water in the list of basic necessities to protect consumers against undue price increases during calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.

"Based on available data, the consumption of instant noodles in the country has risen steadily and in fact, has become a new staple of many poor Filipino families. The increase in popularity of instant noodles can be due to the fact that it is cheaper and easier to prepare than rice," Villar said.

He also noted that instant noodles and bottled water have become two of the most-in demand items in recent calamities, thus they have the biggest tendency to be overpriced to the disadvantage of the public.

He said the prevalent public consumption of instant noodles and bottled water even during relief operations has placed it in the ranks of basic necessities such as rice, corn, bread, fish, pork, poultry and beef.

Villar, meanwhile, reminded businessmen and parties within the chain of distribution of consumer goods to "consider the interest of the public and heed the call to treat customers fairly during times of need." (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)