TAGBILARAN CITY, (PNA)–President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed for calm particularly with regards to supply of food in Bohol saying there is enough supply of food in the province.
“Kung magtatakutan tayo dito, gagawa tayo ng problema sa sitwasyon na walang problema, magpapanic buying tayong bigla na nandiyan lang pala lahat ng supply,” the President said in a briefing with government agencies here on Wednesday.
Panicking may induce shortages because people may buy four or five times of their normal consumption.
The public will lose control of the present situation if they panic, he said. It will not only disrupt the market but also the farming sector since it may affect the prices.
“Yung merkado, pati ang farming sector apektado rin sa fluctuation ng prices,” he said.
The President also warned those who will seize the opportunity to overprice basic commodities, saying that once a state of calamity is declared, there will be price controls.
“You mark it up, you are in violation, and there will be sanctions. And I assure you we will be monitoring everybody’s compliance with the said law,” the President said.
The chief executive also said he wants government agencies to assure the people that there are sufficient funds available, enough items, goods, and materials for all of those who have evacuated.
The President arrived in Bohol Wednesday morning to assess the quake devastation in the province. He also led the distribution of relief goods to affected families.