De Lima seeks probe into rising prices of commodities

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called for a Senate investigation into the alarming increases in the prices of basic commodities, including pork, vegetables and fish, which greatly affect the country's poorest households.

De Lima filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 611 seeking to implement urgent measures to control and manage the cost of these basic commodities that pose a threat to people’s right to food and affect the fragile condition of many Filipino households.

“The State and its agencies must identify the policy levers that can rein in excessive volatility and maintain prices within a reasonable band,” she said.

In filing SRN 611, De Lima cited the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) price watch showing increases in vegetable and meat prices by as much as 66 percent from December 2020.

As the national government shifts the public’s focus and attention on the implementation of its COVID-19 vaccination program, De Lima said gut issues such as these should not be relegated to the background.

“It is crucial that these price surges are duly addressed as price volatility on these basic commodities adversely impacts the very fragile condition and situation of many Filipino households given the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

De Lima further stressed that it is the duty of the Senate to review and enact policies and measures that can temper down and manage the surging prices of these commodities after its careful evaluation and assessment of the situation and factors affecting this persisting problem.