WILLEMSTAD - Three weeks ago, upon hearing that the Makutu Básiko (basic basket of goods) would be eliminated without an alternative plan, the Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) faction stepped forward to inform the public and sound the alarm regarding the serious discrepancies surrounding the basic basket regulations. Today, we are pleased to note that this pressure from our “eyes in the community,” Mr. Elvin Gerard, has borne fruit and that the Pisas III Cabinet has learned its lesson from the failure in executing this crucial regulation.
During Parliament’s question hour on Thursday, March 19, the Minister of Economic Development had to backtrack on statements he had previously made in the press. It is regrettable to note that, instead of taking full responsibility, the minister chose to resort to the traditional politics of passing the blame onto his predecessors. For the PNP, this approach does not help our people. Our focus is and will remain the well-being of the community, which must confront sky-high prices in minimarkets and supermarkets every single day.
To improve the situation regarding the basic basket regulations and to truly protect our people, the PNP continues to propose the following strategic steps, which we have been developing to ensure a more modern and effective approach:
· Introduction of an official portal or app: a platform where citizens can view the official prices of the basic basket in real time and where complaints can be submitted immediately if a merchant does not adhere to the fixed price.
· A dynamic list: the basket should not be a fixed and limited list. It must be evaluated and adjusted periodically to ensure it contains nutritious and healthy products, adapted to current inflation.
· Link to local agriculture: tie the basic basket to local agriculture. Create incentives to include vegetables and fruits grown in Curaçao in the basket, which will lower import costs and stimulate the domestic economy.
· Statutory tax exemption: guarantee by law that essential products in the basket remain completely exempt from any impact of the sales tax (OB), ensuring prices remain at the lowest possible level.
The PNP continues to stand for serious, prepared governance that puts the well-being and purchasing power of the people of Curaçao first. We will continue to closely monitor the execution of this policy.