THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ramping up price and supply-monitoring activities areas in a bid to curb price hikes and supply shortages, as demand for basic goods and prime commodities escalate in preparation for the calamity.
According to a statement released by the trade office on Sunday, during the council meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday, the President instructed the DTI to intensify its price-monitoring efforts to ensure that prices of basic and prime goods are within the suggested retail prices (SRPs); and to guarantee the continued flow and replenishment of goods in the market.
The DTI, in response, instructed its price-monitoring teams—specifically in Regions 6, 7 and 8, where Typhoon Ruby (international code name Hagupit) is expected to hit the hardest—to closely monitor the prices of basic and prime goods and issue Show Cause Orders (SCOs) to those retailers that will be found to be engaged in profiteering and hoarding.
“We have already alerted all our price monitors in the NCR [National Capital Region] and in the regions and provinces that will be hit by Typhoon Ruby to intensify their price- monitoring activities to ensure that prices of basic and prime goods are kept at reasonable levels,” Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said.
“Any act of profiteering or hoarding will not be tolerated. Retailers found to be selling above the SRPs will be issued SCO immediately,” Domingo added.
Initial price-monitoring reports in the NCR, according to the DTI, show that the supply of goods is adequate and there are no price increases. The DTI-Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) continues to intensify its monitoring activities to maintain this status.
Meanwhile, in the cities of Tacloban and Borongan, claims about alleged panic-buying incidences subsided, the DTI reported.
The local government units reported that they had big procurements of basic and prime goods in the local retail stores for their relief goods that will be disseminated to their constituents.
To prevent shortage of supply, the DTI issued an advisory to all distributors and manufacturers to guarantee the constant replenishment of goods in the market to ensure there is enough supply of basic and prime goods before, during and after the typhoon.
“We received positive feedback from the distributors and manufacturers. They assured us that there is enough supply of goods in the market, and that more stocks are ready to be delivered as soon as replenishment is needed. Port operations in the area are also allowed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which remains closed due to rough seas,” DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba reported.
‘Diskwento’ Caravans
IN addition to prices and supply monitoring, the President also instructed the DTI to conduct “Diskwento” Caravans in the areas that are expected to be hit by the typhoon, particularly in Borongan, Samar; Catarman, Northern Samar; and Tacloban, Leyte.
The Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. committed to participate in the Diskwento Caravans. Manufacturers and distributors of basic and prime goods, such as canned sardines, coffee, milk, bread, bottled water, detergent, condiments, sugar and other toiletries will be selling these products at discounted prices ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent. So-called National Food Authority rice will also be sold during the conduct of the said activity.
The DTI is currently working on the schedule of the Diskwento Caravans. But the agency assures the consumers that these will be conducted immediately in the areas that will be affected by the typhoon.