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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Sino ang 'di nagmalasakit?': House out to stop profiteering on basic goods 

'Sino ang 'di nagmalasakit?': House out to stop profiteering on basic goods 

Published Apr 25, 2024 03:41 am

At A Glance

  • Ranking members of the House of Representatives intend to hold accountable the people behind the supposed profiteering on basic goods, as indicated by the widening gap between farm gate prices and retail prices of rice and other products.

20240425_112624.jpgAko Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon (left), PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Ranking members of the House of Representatives intend to hold accountable the people behind the supposed profiteering on basic goods, as indicated by the widening gap between farm gate prices and retail prices of rice and other products.

Deputy Majority Leader Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Margarita "Atty. Migs" Nograles and Assistant Majority Leader Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon noted Thursday, April 25, that the House is willing to conduct an exhaustive investigation on the matter.

"This huge gap in farm gate and retail prices smacks of abuse and utter disregard for the welfare of fellow Filipinos. Malalaman natin sa imbestigasyon kung sino ang hindi nagpakita ng malasakit," Nograles said.

(We will find out during the investigation who didn't show compassion to our countrymen.)

"Our goal is to halt this apparent profiteering and to implement the laws where they apply," she said.

Farm gate prices refer to the prices received by farmers once their crops are sold at the farm's location. Retail prices, on the other hand, are the prices that consumers pay for products, particularly in small quantities.

Bongalon said the upcoming inquiry is part of the House of Representatives' oversight function, which had been strengthened under Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"The House under the Romualdez leadership doesn't sit idle as middlemen make a killing to the detriment of agricultural workers and consumers. We proved this in our exhaustive investigations on the onion price surge of the last quarter of 2022, and on the issue of agricultural smuggling in general. We unmasked a cartel and held its unscrupulous partners in government accountable," Bongalon said.

"If we have to invest months of marathon hearings into this inquiry again then so be it. Hindi uubra ang ganitong klaseng pang-aagrabyado sa mamamayan," he added.

(This kind of abuse on our citizens will not be allowed.)

The House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga is expected to launch the investigation upon the resumption of sessions next week.

Related Tags

migs Nograles profiteering Jil Bongalon farm gate prices
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