BAGUIO City Councilor Leandro Yangot wants to stabilize prices of pasalubong items.
Yangot is calling on the Department of Trade and Industry and other agencies to intensify its efforts in monitoring price increases and other alterations on quantity and quality of commodities, particularly pasalubong products.
In a proposed resolution, Yangot said the city is a gateway to the Cordilleras and has long been revered by tourist as their top destination, especially now the city has recently joined the exclusive group of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Creative City Network [CCN].
“It is imperative for all stakeholders not to downgrade the name of the beloved city by taking advantage of its being the country’s premier city of tourists,” Yangot in his proposed law said.
Yangot is asking local traders and micro business not to take advantage of the gigantic influx of tourists by unreasonably altering the quantity and price of locally produced goods such as peanut brittle, ube and strawberry products, highland vegetables, arts and crafts supplies sold all over the city.
The alderman said there is a need for the city government to involve all stakeholders so as not to take advantage of the long holiday break this Christmas season to increase prices or reduce the quantity affecting the quality of Baguio made products.
During the Yuletide, the DTI keeps a tight watch on grocery items especially for noche buena fare which is a top seller for the holidays.
The DTI has also consumer protection programs to prevent price abuse on certain products during the coming holidays.