President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reiterated his position with regard to firecrackers during his recent Talk-to-the-People Address. The Chief Executive underscored the issue on quality and safety, and called the attention of manufacturers for not putting the proper labels and warnings in their products, said Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr.
The Palace official said that President Duterte wants to impose a total ban on firecrackers like what he did in Davao City. “Bagamat dahil marami nga po ang naghahanapbuhay, nakasalalay ang hanapbuhay sa industriyang ito, binigyan niya ng one final year para sila po ay magbenta ng firecrackers,” Secretary Roque said during a press briefing on December 22.
The Cabinet official also reminded Metro Manila residents that per the decision of the mayors, firecrackers are not allowed in the National Capital Region. “Sang-ayon din po sa DILG, kinakailangan yung mga centralized paputok lamang ang magkakaroon. Ibig sabihin, designated firecracker areas lang na dinesignate ng mga lokal na pamahalaan,” Sec. Roque said.
Accordingly, the Palace spokesperson reiterated the President’s message for Filipinos for the holidays amid the ongoing health pandemic. “Mga kababayan, ngayong panahon ng pagdiriwang, ang nais po ng Presidente ay lahat tayo ay buhay at malusog matapos ang ating mga pagdiriwang,” Roque said.
“Napakadami na po na namatay. Napakadami na po na sinunog na wala na pong burol na hindi nakita ng mga mahal sa buhay. Sana po wag kayong sumapi sa napakadaming numero na yan dahil ang nais nga ng Presidente…kinakailangan lahat tayo buhay. Kinakailangan lahat tayo abutan ng bakuna na parating na,” Roque remarked.
On the Tarlac shooting incident, President Duterte condemn the killing of the mother and son and told the public that he does not tolerate the wrongdoings of abusive members of the police force.
“Sabi nga ng Presidente, ‘You do it right, I’m with you. You do it wrong, and there will be hell to pay,’” said Roque.
On another matter, Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., at last night’s meeting with the President, reported that the Chief Executive’s guidance on COVID-19 that “We are not safe until everyone is safe,” has already been cascaded already to the level of the local government units (LGUs).
“Kasama sa guidance which was cascaded to the LGUs ang tungkol sa equitable access for the poor and indigents ng bakuna, ang pagbibigay prayoridad sa frontliners, health care workers, sundalo at pulis, at essential workers, at ang lahat ng mga Pilipino ay dapat may bakuna, walang exception,” said Roque.
Meanwhile, the Palace reminded consumers about the 60-day price freeze on essential goods in Luzon, following the state of calamity declared because of the recent typhoons. The state of calamity in Luzon was declared on November 18 and will be effective until January 17, 2021.
Among the basic goods covered by the price freeze are canned sardines, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, breads, processed milk, coffee, candles, detergent soap, and salt. This will apply to all supermarkets and grocery stores in Luzon.
For Noche Buena items, the Palace spokesman said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released on November 9 a Suggested Retail Price for items usually used during Christmas and New Year like ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, keso de bola, spaghetti, macaroni, tomato sauce, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, and creamer.
“Ang presyo ng mga produktong ito sa listahan ng DTI ay nasa presyong 2019 simula noong Nov. 15 hangang Dec. 31, 2020. Nagpapasalamat ang DTI sa lahat ng manufacturers ng mga produktong ito sa pagpayag na bumalik sa presyong 2019 para makatulong sa mga mamimili. Maraming Salamat po,” said Roque. ### OPS-PCOO
