Public urged to report cases of profiteering

CEBU, Philippines - With the onset of the "ber" months, consumers are urged to be more vigilant in monitoring prices of basic goods in the market.

The government has stressed the importance of the involvement of consumers in price watching ahead of the holiday season.

Gerry Avila of Department of Agriculture Central Visayas has advised the public to report any cases of profiteering as the Christmas season now approaches.

"Although panagsa ra gyod kaayo ta makadawat og reports from the public, but we really encourage our consumers to be vigilant and report dayon (sa mga unfair practices)," Agribusiness  and Marketing Chief Avila said in an interview yesterday.

Although changes in prices of basic items usually start at the later part of October through December, the DA and even the Department of Trade and Industry have been directed to strengthen price watching in the market.

Malacañang recently announced that President Noynoy Aquino ordered government agencies to keep a tight watch on the supply and price situation to stop possible manipulation and abuse by unscrupulous traders.

Price increase

According to Avila, it is already a trend that prices of meat products -- including processed meats and "lechon" -- generally increase but not that much when December nears.

Aside from meat, the demand for chicken and Christmas fruits also rises during the holiday season.

The chief says prices and demand of spices or condiments which are essential ingredients in dishes are also expected to increase during the holiday period.

"Motaas gyod ang presyo ani nila kay gamay ra ang production during this season pero taas ang demand," he added.

Prices of local fruits especially mango are seen to increase during the Christmas season because of limited supply; but costs of apple and orange fruits are expected to remain stable.

"During these months man gud, daghan kaayo ang importation sa apple ug orange. Pero kining atong traders kung mopasaka sila enough lang gyod ug di man pud sila kapatuyang kay dali ra ni mangalata," he said.

In its latest Monthly Market Price data covering Carbon and Pasil markets, DA's Agribusiness Division said a kilo of beef rump was sold at P190; pork cuts were bought at P150 to P200 per kilo; fish products were sold at P130 to P160 per kilo; and costs of vegetables ranged from P20 to P50 per kilo.

The recent Consumer Price Index showed the average increase in basic prices was 4.9 percent in August -- same rate recorded in July. The government is expecting an average inflation of 3 to 5 percent this year.

Noche Buena goods

In a separate interview, Consumer Welfare Chief Zaide Bation of DTI-7 cites some Noche Buena products whose costs are expected to slightly hike during this season.

These include cooked hams, keso de bola, macaroni and spaghetti products, spaghetti sauces, tomato sauces and dairy products.

Bation said prices of these goods usually increased by centavos or pesos, based on the agency's comparison between the SRPs for Noche Buena products in 2012 and that of 2013.

According to Bation, the department is going to release the 2014 SRPs for Noche Buena goods this October.

The chief also added they were looking at expanding their price monitoring to towns and municipalities.

She has also advised consumers to consider both the price and quality when buying a certain product, adding that they must also keep from overspending although it is holiday season.

According to the DA-7, the major Cebu markets in Carbon, Mandaue, Talisay and Pasil are monitored in terms of price situation.

Avila said original prices of goods normally come from Carbon Market because this is where most of goods are sold. Majority of retailers in Metro Cebu markets also buys stocks from Carbon.  (FREEMAN)