DTI closely monitored prices of goods at the onset of typhoon “Yolanda”

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, November 10 (PIA) – Consumers rushed to several stores in Sorsogon City, though not in panic, to buy commodities to sustain their needs lest super typhoon “Yolanda” would hit the province of Sorsogon. This was the scenario, six days ago, before the super typhoon passed and made landfalls in several areas in Visayas region.

Typhoon “Yolanda” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), past 11:00 o’clock on Wednesday evening and left PAR, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, moving towards Vietnam.

In at least two big supermarkets in this city, cashiers confirmed that most of their buyers were anticipant of “Yolanda”. They said most saleable goods include candles, batteries, trash bags of medium and large sizes, canned goods especially sardines and noodles, among others.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon made sure that amid the rush made, consumer’s rights were not violated by conducting a close monitoring of the prices of commodities in the market.

“Aside from our regular monitoring, we scheduled successive monitoring just to make sure that no one will take advantage of the situation,” said DTI Sorsogon Public Information Officer Senen Malaya. “We are happy that we found no significant increase in the price of prime and basic commodities all throughout the time of Yolanda’s stay,” he added.

DTI, through its regional and provincial offices, monitors regularly the prices of basic and prime commodities. They, likewise, issues suggested retail price to guide consumers of the just and fair price of commodities that would prevail in the market.

Mr. Malaya said that since August this year, members of the Local Price Coordinating and Consumers Affairs Council (LPCCAC) have made rounds in municipalities across Sorsogon to orient newly elected Mayors and their Councils on Republic Act 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act.

Meanwhile, Mr. Malaya warned the consuming and buying public to be more critical and sensitive in choosing products to avoid deceit by counterfeiters.

The warning was made following the raid conducted by operatives in one big supermarket and stores in the public market here seizing fake Nestle products and confiscated thousand of pesos worth of Magic Sarap food seasoning. Nestle Phils. Inc. filed complaint at Regional Trial Court (RTC) Manila Branch 24 over reports of counterfeit Nestle products being sold in this city.

Asked about price control in times of calamities, he said automatic price control is in effect once a state of calamity is declared. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)