THE Department of Trade and Industry warned against profiteering in the rice trading industry, saying it intends to work with law enforcement to ensure prices remain under control.
“We will work with the DA [Department of Agriculture], PNP [Philippine National Police] and NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] to assist in enjoining traders to help lower prices and penalize those found profiteering,” Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters in a mobile message on Tuesday.
The proposed market surveillance operation follows Mr. Duterte warning to alleged hoarders of rice.
“We also need to address the issue of artificial rice shortages. I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people… Power sometimes is not a good thing. But I hope I will not have to use it against you,” Mr. Duterte said in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
Separately, Mr. Lopez also backed Mr. Duterte’s push to “ending the practice of contractualization once and for all.”
“He said he will ask Congress to work on this because it is beyond his power to change what’s in the law. Thus, the discussions on the matter like the definition of contractualization will be tackled in Congress in consultation with all stakeholders,” Mr. Lopez said.
“If you ask me we have been also for the protection of workers and security of tenure and one can be regularized. But regular status can happen within the company or the contractor. What cannot be discontinued is the option to outsource or contract out certain functions or activities to achieve efficiencies and effectiveness,” he added. — Janina C. Lim

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