Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has warned that authorities will go after hoarders and manipulators preying on consumers as the country transitions to the La Niña weather phenomenon.
The defense chief issued this warning during the fifth meeting of the presidential task force on El Niño response as the government gears up for La Niña.
During the task force meeting held at Camp Aguinaldo earlier this month, Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND) is ready to provide support to agencies involved in the price monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities.
Teodoro, chairperson of the task force, said curbing price manipulation and holding hoarders accountable will be among the priorities of the government in its response.
“Access to affordable basic commodities such as rice is exceptionally crucial to millions of Filipino consumers. Any sudden fluctuation in the price of rice resonates in the daily lives of Filipinos,” Teodoro said.
“Whatever support is needed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, rest assured we are here ready to assist them,” the DND chief added.
Teodoro said there is a need to intensify price and supply monitoring efforts in markets to protect consumers from profiteering amid the weather phenomenon.
The Task Force El Niño already began last week its preparations for the possible onset of La Niña, which the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts by June until August this year.