WITH the expiration of the price control on basic and prime commodities nearing, opposition Senator Chiz Escudero is asking the government to provide alternative means for traders to profit from their goods to avoid a similar situation the oil industry is facing.

The government has set a 60-day price cap on certain areas affected by typhoons so that consumers can expect a low price of certain goods even if there is a big demand. According to Escudero, the government should extend the price control policy in areas which were terribly hit or have not fully reeled from the simultaneous disasters.

“There are certain regions in Luzon such as Region 3, 4, and parts of Metro Manila which surprisingly have not yet recovered. The Department of Trade and Industry must carefully assess the areas which may still need a little consideration,” he said.

The price cap started last September 26 after tropical storm Ondoy flooded parts of the National Capital Region and nearby areas. This was also expanded in areas that were hit by the succeeding storms. Republic Act 7581 gives consumers protection by stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations.

“I urge the DTI to launch special measures or programs that will both please the public and the industries that were affected by the price caps,” he said.

The 40-year-old lawmaker also lauded all the stakeholders for discussing the issue amicably. “Special times call for special measures. Let us not replicate the stalemate that the government and the oil industry are undergoing,” he said.