Divisoria (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino is asking local businesses to ensure the affordability of their goods during this holiday season for the sake of Filipino consumers. 

Tolentino had this to say during his weekly radio program, Saturday, Sept. 30. Serving as his guest that day was MSME Council Vice Chairman and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion. 

The two were discussing the uptick in sales that businesses typically enjoy during Christmas time, when Tolentino said that Filipino consumers could used a break. 

"Dapat magkaroon ng often-used word na yung corporate social responsibility (CSR). Yung bigyan naman ng konting puwang yung ating mga mamimili (The often-used term corporate social responsibility. Let's give our consumers a bit of respite)," the senator said. 

Tolentino went on to suggest a more flea market set-up to proprietors a la Divisoria--a popular wholesale district in Manila where one can buy just about anything. 

"Siguro parang Divisioria-type ang atmosphere, yung presyo. Hindi naman binabargain pero yung affordability siguro, Mr. Secretary (Maybe more of a Divisioria-type atmosphere when it comes to pricing. This is more about achieving affordability and not bargain-cheap prices, Mr. Secretary)," he told Concepcion. 

"Lalung-lalo na yung mga basic goods hindi lang hamon, siguro yung mga tinapay ngayong Kapasukuhan iyan yung mga mabibili nationwide (This is especially true for basic goods not just for ham, maybe for bread which get purchased a lot during Christmas season)," Tolentino said. 

Local fuel prices have also been skyrocketing lately due to world market movements. This has caused a domino effect on the prices of basic goods.