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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Imee Marcos tells gov't to move against abusive traders amid nCoV threat

Imee Marcos tells gov't to move against abusive traders amid nCoV threat

Published Feb 1, 2020 09:25 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola  A lawmaker called on authorities Saturday to act against the possible abuse of traders amid heightened concerns on the novel coronavirus  acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the Phiippines. Sen. Imee Marcos (Senate of the Philippines) Sen. Imee Marcos
(Senate of the Philippines) Supplies of face masks in stores immediately ran out after the Department of Health confirmed on Thursday the country's first 2019-nCoV ARD infection involving a 38-year-old Chinese tourist who came from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus outbreak. Fearful residents have also stocked up on alcohol, hand sanitizers, and other disinfectant products to prevent being infected by the new coronavirus strain. "Panic buying ang nangyayari, at halos wala ka nang mabiling face mask sa mga drug stores at kahit sa mga maliliit na botika. Kailangang kumilos ang kinauukulan para hindi naman maabuso ang ating mga mamimili (People are now panic buying and we almost cannot buy face masks from drug stores and even small pharmacies. Authorities have to move on this so that consumers will not be abused)," Sen. Imee Marcos said in her statement. Marcos also mentioned reports that some stores have raised the prices of their face masks. She said unscrupulous traders could be taking advantage of the 2019-nCov scare to earn more. "Kailangang kumilos ang DTI para maiwasan ang hoarding na maaaring gawin ng mga mapagsamantalang negosyante. Dapat may price freeze na ipatupad ang DTI sa mga produktong tulad ng face mask (The Department of Trade and Industry should prevent the possible hoarding by scrupulous businessmen. There should be a price freeze by the DTI on products like face masks)," she appealed. Amid the growing anxiety over the 2019-nCoV ARD, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez appealed to the public not to panic as he assured them there are enough supplies of masks and disinfectants. Lopez, on the other hand, warned retailers against increasing the prices of these goods. The Philippine National Police has also threatened to arrest those who will would take advantage of the situation. The World Health Organization on Friday declared a global emergency due to the continuous spike of 2019-nCov ARD cases in several countries.
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