Speaker Martin Romualdez and Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo inspected on Monday a public market in Quezon City to ensure that costs of basic commodities remain within the limits of suggested retail prices (SRP) as Filipinos prepare for the holidays.

“We want to make sure that traders do not take advantage of the holiday season to jack up prices of basic commodities. The Christmas season is meant to be a time of giving and compassion, and we want to make sure that prices of goods are affordable to a great majority of our people,” Romualdez said after making rounds at the Farmers Market, one of the major public markets in Quezon City.

He said the House of Representatives, with oversight functions to fight inflation, would protect the public’s welfare by providing them with the most affordable goods in the market, especially with the holidays approaching.

He vowed to protect the public from hoarding, price manipulation and unreasonable price increases.

“It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to ensuring fair pricing and protecting consumers’ interests by fighting hoarding and exorbitant prices,” he added.

Tulfo said the Lower House would regularly check prices in markets and if there are enough stocks of Christmas food products.

“We will continue the all-out war against profiteers preying on hapless consumers,” Tulfo said. (PNA)