DTI asks supermarkets to limit sale amid COVID-19 panic buying

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday said it is coordinating with grocery and supermarket owners to limit the quantity of items they are selling in light of the panic buying caused by the COVID-19 scare.

At the same time, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez assured the public that there is no need to resort to panic buying as there is enough supply of items like tissue papers and alcohol.

“Nakipag-usap lang tayo doon sa mga may-ari ng groceries, coordination, na mag-start sila na mag-limit ng pagbenta,” Lopez said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday.

According to Lopez, the groceries and supermarkets are only running out of alcohol and sanitizers to be displayed but it does not mean that there is a shortage in supply.

“Walang dahilan para mag-panic buying. Lalong nagki-create ng artificial shortage ‘yan lalo na sa araw na iyon,” he said.

“Punong -puno ho ang supply. Kung makikita natin ang mga grocery ngayon naka-stack up lahat ng supply na pagkain,” he added.

Lopez said the limit would be on a daily basis only.

“Hindi naman ito dahil sa shortage. Para lang marami ang makabili sa araw na ‘yun,” he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News