ASIDE from freezing prices of food and oter basic commodities the government must release immediately the needed assistance funds for the poor families.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas expressed concern over reports that prices of vegetables, poultry products and other basic commodities soared at the start of 2021.
Brosas said Filipinos are suffering a lot nowadays especially those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of this, Brosas asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide the people at least P10,000 cash aid.
“Tumalon ang presyo ng gulay, baboy at iba pang batayang bilihin kasabay ng pagpasok ng 2021 kahit extended ang state of emergency at nanalasa pa rin ang epekto ng pandemya. Bakit tayo nagkukulang pa rin umano sa suplay?” Brosas said.
She asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to explain escalation of prices.
Based on various reports, the price of a kilo of eggplant rose to P180 from P140, while the price of squash more than doubled to P100 from P40. The price of chicken per kilo has soared to P200-220.
“Sobrang pabigat ito lalo sa milyun-milyong Pilipino na wala pa ring trabaho at salat na salat sa kita at sa ayuda mula sa gobyerno. Kaya may higit na batayan ang panawagang P10,000 ayuda mula sa nakatenggang pondo sa DSWD, bukod sa mas epektibong price freeze na dapat ipatupad ng DTI,” Brosas added.
The militant solon pointed out that the DSWD still has P83 billion in unspent funds from its various programs, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
The validity of the 2020 budget has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
