By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Zamboanga del Norte has intensified its monitoring on
the prices of basic commodities in the province to ensure stable prices of
goods.
This
developed after President Benigno Aquino III declared the whole nation under
the “State of National Calamity” due to the onslaught of super-typhoon Yolanda
in the Eastern Visayas.
Republic
Act 7581, otherwise known as Price Act of the Philippines, as amended by
R.A.10623 provides that once a place or a country is declared under the State
of National Calamity, prices of all basic commodities are also frozen within a
period of 60 days.
In
view of this, Engr. Noel Bazan, DTI-Zamboanga del Norte provincial director,
appealed to the local businessmen to cooperate and follow the freeze order and
not take advantage of the situation like manipulating the prices and/or create
artificial shortage of supplies of basic commodities. He also urged the public
to remain calm and notresort to panic-buying as this is only temporary.
DTI
monitors the price of canned goods, processed milk, soap, school supplies,
nails, battery, and electrical supplies.
However,
Bazan clarified that not all products are being monitored by the DTI, as there
are other products that are under the jurisdiction of other agencies of the
government.
The
Department of Agriculture (DA) or the local agriculture office monitors the
prices of the agricultural products like rice, root crops, fish and other
marine products, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, oil, animal feeds, veterinary
products and others.
On
the other hand, the Department of Energy also monitors the price of household
liquefied petroleum gas, and kerosene, except gasoline which is not included in
the price act. Gasoline is not considered a basic commodity and is subject to
the Oil Deregulation Law.
Food
and Drugs Administration (FDA) monitors the prices of medicines while the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) monitors the prices of
wood products like firewood, plywood, etc.
Based
on its observation, the DTI noted a religious compliance by the local traders
with the suggested retail prices of basic commodities. (PIA9)
