DTI tightens watch on prices of basic goods in W. Visayas

By John Noel E. Herrera 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its monitoring of prices of basic goods and necessities in Western Visayas following the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Paeng”.

DTI-6 said it already mobilized its monitoring teams to check supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure the availability of supply and stability of prices.

“We urge consumers to report distributors, retailers and manufacturers of any violation, hoarding or overpricing,” DTI-6 assistant director Felisa Judith Degala added.

Degala also said that the agency has been monitoring prices and supplies of prime commodities since Oct 29, 2022.

Basic products that are under the agency’s purview also include bread, canned fish, and other marine products, potable water in bottles, processed and bottled milk, instant noodles, sault, different kinds of soap, and coffee, among others.

“DTI Region 6 also reminds businesses and traders to comply with the price freeze on basic necessities in areas under state of calamity (SOC) following the proclamation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dated Nov 2 declaring Region 6 as one of the four regions as areas under SOC,” DTI-6 added in a press statement.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. placed Western Visayas and regions IV-A, V, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under a state of calamity which will also effectively ensure control of the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in the said regions.

Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, mandates that when a state calamity is imposed on a region, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at prevailing prices for 60 days.

Meanwhile, DTI-6 also assured the public that the agency is coordinating with other national government agencies and retailers to ensure that the transportation or delivery of basic necessities is not hampered in areas placed under a state of calamity.

“Though basic necessity and prime commodity prices are stable, the demand has significantly increased especially in Antique due to bulk buying of retailers and consumers, and by private organizations and local government units (LGUs) for relief operations,” DTI-6 OIC regional director Ermelinda Pollentes said.

Pollentes added that the agency is also coordinating with retailers and distributors regarding the delivery of supplies to affected areas to ensure price and supply stability.

DTI-6 also said that they identified initiatives to cushion the impact of the typhoon on affected micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) “by linking them into financing institutions and suppliers of raw materials for a sustainable livelihood.”