OFFICIALS of the City of San Fernando assured consumers that prices of fish and chicken meat are being strictly monitored following reports of overpricing by some vendors in public markets amid the African Swine Fever (ASF) scare.

City Agriculture and Veterinary Officer Christina Sangumay said their office is regularly monitoring public markets and even groceries and supermarkets to ensure that no vendors will take advantage of the current situation.

“We regularly go around public markets groceries and supermarkets to ensure that the ceiling prices for all products, not only meats, is being observed. We will not allow anybody to abuse our consumers, especially in this time when people are only taking precautionary measure,” she said.

Sangumay advised consumers to always look for the suggested retail prices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The official warned vendors, grocery stores, and supermarkets that the city will be imposing penalties on anyone caught overpricing or taking advantage of the ASF scare.

“We have laws for overpricing and our city government have the power to penalize whoever is caught violating it. Nonetheless, we are positive that our vendors will not take advantage of their fellow Fernandinos and Kapampangans,” she said.

City health officials stressed that pork meat is still safe to eat as ASF virus only infects hogs and is not transmissible to humans.

The city officials also advised the people to cook meat properly.