Price controls on basic commodities automatically took effect in areas declared under a state of calamity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said yesterday as it also warned traders against profiteering while senators urged major oil companies and manufacturers of basic commodities to observe a price-freeze amid the widespread disaster brought by massive flooding in most of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
“As soon as state of calamity is declared, price control takes effect. So, I advise traders and retailers not to take undue advantage of the situation. Supermarkets and grocery stores have remained open,” Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said.
As of late yesterday, Manila, San Juan, Pasay, Pasig and Pateros were the latest areas in Metro Manila placed under a state of calamity due to massive flooding aside from several provinces following days of torrential rains brought by the southwest monsoon.
Also placed under a state of calamity are Obando, Bulacan; Bataan; Laguna; Pampanga; Cainta, Rizal; Valenzuela City; Malabon City; San Mateo, Rizal; Muntinlupa City; Province of Zambales.
Domingo said the DTI is closely monitoring prices and availability of supplies of basic goods and prime commodities.
He said prices and supply still remained stable except for the considerable increases in the cost of fresh water fishes such as “bangus” and “tilapia” as incessant rains continued to pound the National Capital Region for a week now.
Domingo, however, expects some disruptions in supply because of the difficulty in the delivery of goods as some areas are still under water. Domingo also plans to convene the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to map out plans in the monitoring and control of commodity prices.
Based on the latest DTI Price Monitoring but prior to yesterday, the price of bangus (milk fish) has gone up to P120 per kilo from only P100 in the same period last year while the price of tilapia has gone up to P100 from P80 and of alumahan from P120 per kilo to P140.
DTI Undersecretary for consumer welfare Zenaida Maglaya said the DTI was coordinating with the Department of Agriculture on the prices of agricultural products.
Prices of refined sugar also went up to P50 a kilo from P46 a year ago while the washed sugar also raised prices from P42 to P44. The brown sugar has remained unchanged at P40.
Vegetable prices are also going up with carrots now selling at P60 a kilo from P20 a week ago. White potato also increased prices to P50 a kilo from only P35 a year ago while eggplant has adjusted prices to P40 from P30. Okra also rose P5 per kilo to P35 from P30 while kangkong leaves to P40 from P30.
Maglaya reported that they received reports Sunday from Camiguin and Laguna provinces indicating they have stable prices and supplies.
Manufactured and processed prime goods have remained stable with prices still within their suggested retail price levels.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan also made the an appeal for businesses to suspend price increases noting the pronouncements made recently by some oil companies on a new round of increase in pump prices of fuel products.
The senator said it would be inconsiderate for private firms should they not heed such call as the number of casualties, affected families and damage to properties are still rising due to the massive flooding.
“This is the time for us to extend a helping hand to one another. All of us are affected, from the farmers and lowest worker to businessmen and major businesses,” Pangilinan said, pointing out that affected families cut through social classes.