DINAGAT Islands Representative Alan 1 Ecleo filed with the House Representatives a Bill which would prevent sellers from raising the prices of construction materials during times of disaster and emergencies.
“This Bill would protect survivors of disasters from predatory pricing and some sellers exploiting the need for construction materials in rebuilding shelter and livelihood,” said Ecleo, who is the Chairman of the House Disaster Resilience Committee.
House Bill 16464, filed by Ecleo yesterday, amends Republic Act No. 7581, or “The Price Act” which provides protection to consumers and businesses by stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations.
Ecleo aims to add Gl sheets, construction nails, steel bars, hollow blocks, plywood, and cement to the list of “basic necessities and prime commodities” which are “vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence” and “are essential to consumers [in times of emergency].”
“We must protect consumers, disaster survivors, and law-abiding entrepreneurs from unfair business practices such as undue price increases, hoarding, profiteering, and predatory pricing of goods during calamities,” Ecleo concluded.
