THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu has assured consumers that prices of basic commodities remain stable despite the spike in demand during the recent holidays.
DTI Cebu officer-in-charge provincial director Esperanza Melgar said their weekly monitoring showed that prices of basic commodities have not increased.
“Prices are stable and within the Suggested Retail Price (SRP). The supply is also adequate,” she said.
Melgar said the DTI Cebu is still doing a weekly price monitoring of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPC) in establishments in key cities.
Monthly monitoring is also conducted in supermarkets and grocery stores for those in the municipalities.
BNPC includes canned sardines in tomato sauce, meat loaf, corned beef, beef loaf, luncheon meat and processed milk, among others.
Also included are condiments (vinegar and soy sauce), coffee refill, Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy pandesal, instant noodles, salt, detergent / laundry soap, toilet soap, candles, batteries and bottled water.
DA partnership
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has also partnered with the DTI in monitoring the prices of basic food items.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA is seeking help from the Philippine Competition Commission to investigate traders and wholesalers suspected of manipulating the supply and prices of basic food items.
The DA has also partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, that are members of the sub-task group on economic intelligence under the government’s task force group on food security to investigate, apprehend and prosecute profiteers and price manipulators.
Moreover, Dar also warned individuals and entities who are floating the idea of a food shortage.
“They have to substantiate such claims or face possible investigation for colluding with traders in order to cause panic among consumers. There is no food crisis,” Dar said. / JOB