DTI monitors automatic price freeze in areas under state of calamity

The Department of Trade and Industry has sent out teams to areas placed under a state of calamity in the wake of rain and floods brought by Typhoon Gener to monitor implementation of an automatic-price-freeze order for basic goods there. DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya reminded traders in those areas they will have much explaining to do if they are caught jacking up prices of basic goods. "'Pag ang lugar under a state of calamity, may automatic price control. Kung ano ang presyo ng pangunahing bilihin bago ang bagyo dapat 'di ito gumagalaw," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. Several areas in Laguna and Cavite were placed under a state of calamity in the wake of the heavy rain. Maglaya said a similar state is also in effect over some areas in Camiguin Island. Maglaya also said the DTI teams will make sure there is enough supply of basic goods. Inventory levels should be sufficient, she added. While she admitted the list of basic goods does not yet cover liquefied petroleum gas and fuel products, she said profiteers will still be held liable. "Pero siyempre 'pag may pagsasamantala maaring habulin ng Department of Energy ang sinumang nagsasamantala," she said. Sardines prices The DTI also reminded manufacturers of sardines of its instructions to cut prices of their products effective immediately. Maglaya said prices of sardines should go down to P12.80 a can, from as high as P14, effective August 1. "'Yan ang pinag-usapan nang nag-meeting ang National Price Council. 'Yan ang instruction ni Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo sa gumagawa ng sardinas," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said the order to bring down prices of sardines stemmed from the report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that prices of sardine fish had gone down. Maglaya said manufacturers who have not brought down the prices of their products will have some explaining to do. "Effective August 1 'yan... so ating pasabi sa manufacturer 'pag mapag-alamang mataas ang presyo nila dapat nakahanda silang magpaliwanag," she said. — LBG, GMA News