ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr. ordered business establishments in the city to not overprice and hoard products amid 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) scare.
He added that the City Government will file legal actions to those who will violate the directive.
This is in accordance with Memorandum No. 175 Series of 2020, which states "the City Government orders drug stores, convenience stores, and similar establishments from profiteering and hoarding of face masks, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and other similar products."
Lazatin also stressed that the aim of the ordinance is to take proactive measures in hopes of preventing the spread of the virus in the city.
Based on section 5 of the Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act defines profiteering as "the sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth."
As for the hoarding, it can be defined as "the undue accumulation by a person or combination of persons of any basic commodity beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce, and industry."
Headed by the Business Permit and Licensing Division, and the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Lazatin ordered the continuous inspection and monitoring of the aforementioned establishments on January 31, 2020. This is to ensure the compliance of the public.
"Wala pong nCoV dito sa Angeles. But the safety of our constituents is our topmost priority. We value life. We will conduct close monitoring to assure that the city is guarded against the virus," he said.
It can be recalled that Lazatin has also met with medical personnel from local government hospitals, ensuring quality equipment and service shall there be an outbreak in the city.
Lazatin also released on January 31, the Memorandum Order No. 171 series of 2020 which states, "preventive measures to mitigate the spread of the disease by compliance with the distribution of face masks, where all front liners are required to wear face masks at all times; installation of hand sanitizing stations in strategic areas within the City Hall building; and the constant and timely dissemination of information through the City Information Office Facebook page to spread awareness and disease prevention tips, among others."
Lazatin is encouraging the public to follow proper hygiene and avoid consumption of raw or under cooked animal products.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the 2019-nCoV belongs to a large family of coronaviruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Lazatin also reminded the public to visit health care professionals for possible 2019-nCoV ARD symptoms such as respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. (PR)