DOJ, NBI to go after N. Luzon hoarders

The Department of Justice will be fielding agents of the National Bureau of Investigation to areas in northern Luzon hit by Typhoon “Pepeng” to enforce price controls, officials said Oct. 11.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the NBI, the law enforcement arm of the DOJ, will begin operations to check on possible hoarding of rice and other basic commodities that often occur in the aftermath of natural calamities.

She said price controls are being enforced as President Arroyo’s declaration of a state of calamity remains in effect in Luzon, including Metro Manila.

She said the DOJ originally fielded NBI agents in the National Capital Region but will increase its numbers and deploy more in other affected areas in northern Luzon to make sure that prices of basic and prime commodities remain steady.

The NBI, according to Devanadera, apprehended more than 60 violators and the agency is now finalizing reports and “may subpoena some more people.”

She said the bureau has built up cases against some of those erring establishments.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde urged the public to monitor the prices of goods in their respective communities and report any irregularities to the Department of Trade and Industry and DOJ.

Devanadera said the DOJ has partnered with DTI, Department of Agriculture and Department of Health in monitoring the prices of medicines and other basic commodities.

When asked on the increased prices of vegetables in the local market, she said prices are “subject to the law of supply and demand.”

She said that since typhoon Pepeng battered the province of Benguet and other vegetable growing provinces in Luzon, this might affect the supply and prices of vegetables in the country.
“But there is such thing as acceptable prices,” she said.

Remonde said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap “is now handling the issue and may find solutions to ease the problem.”

He said President Arroyo has also directed Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to exert all efforts to ensure the affected roads become passable as soon as possible.

The various routes up north were heavily damaged by typhoon Pepeng and the transport of goods was also affected.