#YolandaPH Cebuanos stack up on supplies

CEBU, Philippines - Droves of people went to supermarkets to stack up on supplies yesterday in anticipation of typhoon Yolanda, but the Department of Trade and Industry– Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) said no panic buying occurred.

The agency also assured consumers that there is sufficient supply of goods and prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain stable.

DTI Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Division chief Zaide Bation told The Freeman that retailers and distributors in the province have not reported any occurrence of panic buying in their respective establishments.

Panic buying, Bation said, is defined as “an abnormal phenomenon when consumers buy grossly in excess of the normal requirement.”

“As of now, we have not received reports about panic buying. Retailers have not called us regarding this matter,” she said.

Bation said establishments have supplies good for one to two weeks. In fact, local merchandisers have prepared early because of the anticipated influx of customers for the holiday season.

She explained that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain within the price control imposed in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake jolted Central Visayas last October 15.

A price freeze on basic goods and prime commodities in the two provinces placed under a state of calamity was issued by DTI two days ago. Such declaration automatically froze the prices of basic and prime commodities in the affected areas.

The declaration states prices of basic necessities in an area shall be frozen automatically at their prevailing levels or placed under automatic price control and shall remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about but is not for more than sixty days unless sooner lifted by the President.

The mandated price ceiling is applicable when that area is proclaimed a disaster area or declared under a state of calamity, under an emergency, suspended with its privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, placed under martial law, declared to be in state of rebellion or state of war.

Bation said DTI will work closely with retailers and establishments in monitoring the buying condition of consumers.

“If they will not call us, we will call them,” she said.  

Several consumers The Freeman have spoken to said they have experienced shortage of flashlights at supermarkets, but Bation explained flashlights are technically not under the prime commodity category, thus, cannot be a gauge in determining if there is panic buying.

Basic necessities are identified as goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence.

These include rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; potable water in bottles and containers; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables and fruits; locally manufactured instant noodles; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and detergents; firewood; charcoal; household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene; candles; and drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health among others.

Prime commodities, as defined in the Price Act, are goods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers.

Aside from batteries, some of the prime commodities are flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; dairy products not falling under basic necessities; onions, garlic, vinegar, patis, soy sauce; toilet soap;  fertilizer,  pesticides and herbicides; poultry, livestock and fishery feeds and veterinary products; paper; school supplies; nipa shingles; sawali; cement; clinker; GI sheets; hollow blocks; plywood; plyboard; construction nails; electrical supplies; light bulbs; and steel wires.

DTI is responsible in implementing the Price Act in consultation with the Price Coordinating Council and other stakeholders. – (FREEMAN)