The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here has assured the public that there is an ample supply of basic goods amid the price freeze imposed due to the declaration of a state of calamity. DTI-Pampanga Director Elenita Ordonio said on Monday retailers and wholesalers have ensured sufficient supplies of prime commodities. ‘As per our monitoring report, most of the groceries and supermarkets in the province have enough supplies and will last until three months,’ Ordonio said in a radio interview. She said that based on their monitoring, there is no overpricing of basic goods in the province since the enforcement of the price freeze last July 31. ‘The DTI is keeping its eyes on possible hoarders of basic commodities, particularly products under the department such as canned sardines, milk and noodles, among others,’ she said. Meanwhile, Ordonio asked the consumers to report hoarders of such products to the DTI, but clarified that concerns about rice must be reported to the Department of Agriculture. With the forthcoming opening of classes, Ordonio said the DTI Pampanga Consumer Protection Division is now conducting price monitoring of school supplies. ‘Per monitoring, the prices are within the DTI Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies (suggested retail price or SRP),’ she added. Aside from Pampanga, the price freeze on basic commodities is in effect in other areas of Central Luzon following the declaration of a state of calamity due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Egay. These are the provinces of Bulacan and Bataan, Zaragoza town in Nueva Ecija, Camiling, Ramos, Moncada and Paniqui town in Tarlac, and San Marcelino town in Zambales.
Source: Philippines News Agency