DTI to publish prices of basic commodities

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry will publish in local newspapers the list of basic commodities and their corresponding prices to prevent overpricing.

DTI provincial director Nelia Navarro told The FREEMAN that a "price freeze" on basic commodities is automatic once an area is under state of calamity.

These basic commodities are canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, detergent bars/laundry soaps, loaf bread, pandesal and salt.

Navarro said that 11 teams from DTI are monitoring supermarkets and grocery stores in the Cebu since Wednesday.

"Supplies were stable, there are no increases in the prices of basic commodities and no panic buying," Navarro said.

Today, the teams will monitor commodity prices in supermarkets and grocery stores in key cities.

Lito Maderazo, president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there is no reason for commodity prices to increase in Cebu considering that there was no major impediment in the flow of goods.

"The government should protect our consumers from the unscrupulous traders," Maderazo said.

Robert Go, a director of the Philippine Retailers Association-Cebu Chapter, said that prices of basic commodities should not go up because there is overflowing stocks in preparation for Christmas.

"No reason to increase. In fact, pricing is low to help calamity victims and for humanitarian reasons. Now is the good chance to be a Good Samaritan," said Go, who is the chief operating officer and president of Prince Warehouse Club.

Meanwhile, the National Food Authority-7 assured of a stable supply and prices of rice.

"We have enough stocks of rice and we appeal to all rice retailers and dealers that they have also social responsibility especially in this times not to take advantage of the situation to increase rice prices," said NFA-7 information officer Lucy Rosales.

As of October 16, NFA-7 has issued 6,070 bags of rice to local government units in Cebu (1,021 bags) and Bohol (1,300), and to other institutions like cooperatives (1,322 bags) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7(2,427).

DSWD-7 information officer Jayvee Binghay said that quake survivors need more food, water, blankets, clothing, mats, mosquito nets, slippers, cooking and eating utensils.

She said that DSWD-7 has activated its Quick Response Teams (QRT) to distribute foods to victims in Bohol.

DSWD regional director Mercedita Jabagat said they would field stress debriefers to conduct psycho-social interventions to grieving families.

DSWD-7 has put up a donation desk at the lobby of its office located along M.J. Cuenco Avenue and Gen. Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City.  (FREEMAN)