Southern Cebu stores, Gov warns against overpricing of goods

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has warned business establishments in the province, especially those in areas affected by recent calamities, against overpricing of basic and prime commodities.

This after the governor received complaints from consumers that some stores in southern Cebu jacked up commodity prices.

“Suma pa sa mga report nga nadawat sa gobernador, nagsugod kining sitwasyona human sa bagyong Seniang,” stated Ethel Natera, Provincial Information Officer, in a text message sent to the media.

Prices of rice and even squids reportedly increased, Natera added.

Davide said that though he understands that stores have to increase prices as expenses in transporting their products also went up after some roads were damaged by the calamities, he urged storeowners not to take advantage by increasing the prices of their goods too much since the consumers are also victims of the calamities.

The Provincial Agriculture Office earlier attributed the limited and declining crop supply from the southern part of the province to the agricultural damage.

It said transporting products is also a problem since the Dumlog Bridge in Sibonga became impassable after its approach collapsed owing to the floodwaters brought by typhoon Seniang.

Dalaguete, tagged as the “vegetable-basket of Cebu,” for example, reported 95 percent damage to its total crop area from Typhoon Queenie.

Davide urged the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and other concerned agencies to look into the matter and conduct regular monitoring on the prices.

The Provincial Board earlier placed the entire province under state of calamity. Automatic price freeze is implemented in areas under calamity state.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office delivered yesterday to southern Cebu 2,000 water-filled jerry cans, sleeping kits from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., and 150 units of family tents.

The Capitol also transported 930 sets of kitchen kits to affected families in Barili and Alegria.

Limited water supply was also reported in some areas in southern Cebu due to damaged water systems after Seniang’s onslaught. — (FREEMAN)