DTI urged to enforce price freeze in ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) on Tuesday urged businessmen to observe the prevailing price freeze for basic commodities in areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).

DTI Director for Consumer and Welfare Group Vic Dimagiba said they would continue to monitor prices of basic goods and ensure the implementation of the price freeze order in coordination with the regional and provincial offices in the Visayas.

Dimagiba said business establishments that may take advantage of the calamity situation to jack up profits would be required to explain to DTI why their goods were not complying with the prevailing price freeze.

“Businesses are getting back to normal but there is a need to continue monitoring to ensure that prices basic goods are complying with the price freeze,” Dimagiba said.

On January 6, DTI issued a show cost to two supermarkets for failing to abide by the price freeze order.

The DTI issued a notice to the supermarkets to require them a letter of explanation on the said incident, Dimagiba said.

He added the DTI would hold a “Diskwento Depot” in worst hit Tacloban City which would start on January 27 where goods and supplies will be stored.

He said the depot would last until June as response to the lack of supplies in the area.

DTI also warned other business establishments outside Yolanda-hit areas to follow the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) as ordered by the department.

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