Price freeze sought in quake-hit Abra

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers yesterday urged concerned government agencies to freeze prices of basic commodities in Abra and nearby areas that were hit by a recent magnitude-7 earthquake.

“The Department of Trade and Industry should also ensure ample and continuous supply of basic goods in Abra and other areas that were devastated by the quake,” Rep. Howard Guintu of Pinuno party-list suggested. “They should ensure that no one takes advantage or makes profit out of the tragedy.”

As a matter of policy, prices of essential goods in areas placed under a state of calamity should remain low.

“The Price Act provides that prices of primary commodities or basic necessities should be frozen at the prevailing rate for a maximum of 60 days in areas that have been declared a disaster area or under a state of calamity or emergency,” Guintu said.

He urged the public to be vigilant when a price freeze is implemented in their localities to ease the burden of the quake victims.

“Let us work together to alleviate the sufferings of our countrymen in the north, who were struck by the quake. If needed, let us tap the police to help monitor the price freeze,” he said.

Repeal building code

As this developed, Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. of the sixth district of Bulacan filed a bill seeking to repeal the old building edict, or Presidential Decree 1096, which was issued in 1977.

“This law has to be repealed. We have been using this obsolete law for a long time now,” Pleyto, a civil engineer by profession, said in filing House Bill 1180 or the New Philippine Building Act.

The measure seeks to make edifices stronger and more durable to withstand a magnitude-8 earthquake.

“Buildings should be resilient against earthquakes, fire, flood, landslide, storm, volcano and multiple hazards,” Pleyto said.