Gov to businessmen: Heed price freeze

CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III has appealed to businessmen and local traders to heed the ongoing price freeze of basic commodities in the typhoon-stricken towns and cities in north Cebu.

Davide made the appeal yesterday amid reports from the Department of Trade and Industry saying that a number of retailers violated the price freeze imposed in the calamity-hit areas.

“My request to the businessmen in North Cebu is for them not to increase their prices too much because a lot of residents there are already having a hard time with their needs,” he said.

Days after super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the province, Davide already warned commercial establishments and local traders not to jack up prices of basic commodities with Cebu still under a state of calamity.

The governor said he understands the present situation of the businessmen who also sustained damage in their assets due to the typhoon.

However, the price hike should be exercised reasonably, he said.

“We also understand the need to increase because these businesses were also affected and they need to recover. For me, there should be understanding and for the businessmen to consider the present plight of our brothers and sisters,” said Davide.

notices served

Days ago, DTI served notices to 24 retailers for disregarding the price freeze during their monitoring in the towns of Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan of Bantayan island.

DTI Provincial Director Nelia Navarro said they were able to cover 51 establishments during the inspection that included 40 retailers and 11 hardware stores.

“These violators have already undergone due process and they have committed to follow the price freeze,” she said.

Under the Price Act, the price freeze only covers basic commodities such as canned fish, marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergents, candles, bread and salt.

She added that aside from the basic commodities, construction materials are also in the Price Freeze list under the prime commodities.

prime commodities

“Prime commodities are goods that are not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers during calamities like the earthquake and then the typhoon Yolanda. It includes construction materials to support the rebuilding of the damaged properties.”

These include nipa (palm) shingles, sawali, cement, clinker, galvanized iron sheets, hollow blocks, plywood, plyboard, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies like light bulbs and steel wire.

DTI will also continue to monitor prices of the goods in Central Visayas, she said.