Pasay City Mayor Imelda Rubiano on Wednesday ordered the local police and market officials to go after abusive traders and profiteers amid the high prices of meat products and other basic commodities.
“I have thus instructed the Pasay City Public Market, the Pasay City Police, and barangay officials to strictly monitor the prices of selected pork, chicken and other food products in all public and private markets, supermarkets, talipapas, and grocery stores in our city,” Rubiano said.
Rubiano said she is planning to form a sub-task force to run after unscrupulous traders and report their violations to the Office of the Mayor, so that proper actions can be taken against them in accordance with the law.
The city government made the move after Rubiano’s office received various information, and complaints from residents who also asked her to act against the skyrocketing prices of commodities.
Rubiano’s order to run after profiteers was also in compliance with an earlier Executive Order 124 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte which mandates a price ceiling on selected pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region.
The city chief executive said she is supporting Duterte’s directive which she said will remain in full force and effect for 60 days upon publication in the Official Gazette, noting that “it will give relief to our constituents who have been complaining of high prices during this health crisis.”
Duterte’s order mandates that prices of pork products kasim/pigue be pegged at P270 per kilo while liempo will be sold at P300 per kilo.
The mandated pork prices are significantly lower than the previous prices of as much as P390 or higher per kilo.
For poultry products, dressed chicken should be sold at maximum P160 per kilo which is also lower from the previous selling price of P210 per kilo or higher.
“We will focus on those who manipulate supply and prices of agricultural products at the expense of consumers, so that they will be charged and punished accordingly,” said Mayor Rubiano.