THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will continue to run after profiteers and hoarders of essential goods even if the price freeze has already been lifted.
The price freeze on basic goods and prime commodities was lifted Saturday, May 16, after 60 days of effectivity following the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency.
DTI Central Luzon regional director Judith Angeles said they reminded groceries, supermarkets, hardware stores and other sellers that after the lifting of the price freeze, the basis for the monitoring of prices will be the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) of basic and prime commodities dated September 2019.
This 2019 SRP list will be used by the DTI price monitoring teams conducting weekly checking of the price and supply situation in major stores in the seven provinces of Central Luzon.
“Price coordinating councils of local government units will recommend, based on their assessment of the situation, on what measures they can take to manage the supply and prices of basic needs and prime commodities,” Angeles added.
During the enhanced community quarantine, DTI has always supported the unhampered movement of essential goods.
The regional director also reminded buyers that the monitoring of the prices of essential medical supplies such as alcohol and face masks is under the mandate of the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration.
“We advise consumers to report establishments not following the SRP list through the consumer hotline 1-384, Facebook page-DTI Consumer Care or text 09178343330,” Angeles added.
Resolution No.37 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases placed the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales and city of Angeles under a modified enhanced community quarantine while the provinces of Aurora and Tarlac and city of Olongapo under a general community quarantine from May 16 to 31. (PIA-Central Luzon)