DTI eyes dialogue with traders regarding high chicken prices

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking dialogue with traders following the "unreasonable" increase in the prices of chicken in the market as witnessed by DTI personnel during a recent inspection.

At the same time, the DTI is urging consumers to report to them illegal increases in the prices of agricultural products.

"Puwede nilang itawag yun sa 1384, toll-free nationwide po for Globe and toll-free NCR for Smart," DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Thursday.

"Isumbong na po nila lahat para mapuntahan na natin lahat, yung agri products po tulungan na natin ang Department of Agriculture... para ma-arrest natin 'yung unreasonable price increases."

Castelo made the appeal after a visit to Marikina City market by DTI personnel on Wednesday found out that chicken prices there range from P150 to P160.

"Dapat nasa P140 lang sana," she said.

Castelo said they are not discounting the possibility that the unreasonable high price may be due to "profiteers."

"We do not discount that factor," she said. "That's possible."

Because of this, Castelo said they may talk to traders to seek explanation regarding the high price of chicken.

"Hinahanap natin yung traders kasi 'yun yung nasa gitna, yung sinusuplayan ng farmers at kinukuhanan naman ng vendors. So gusto sana natin silang makausap," she said. —KBK, GMA News