BANGUED, Abra – The Department of Trade and Industry-Abra is closely monitoring the prices of basic commodities in retail stores in the province amid reports of increase of loaf bread prices in Bangued after Typhoon Egay battered Northern Luzon last week.
DTI-Abra Director Marvin Arcangel said he deployed monitoring teams to check the prices of basic goods such as breads, canned goods, rice, hygiene products, bottled water, and instant noodles.
“We immediately conducted price monitoring among business establishments in Bangued to ensure that prices are in line with the suggested retail price. At the moment, there a two monitoring teams going around Bangued,” he said.
Following the declaration of the province under state of calamity followed by two other provinces in the Cordillera, DTI enforced price freeze on basic goods, Arcangel said.
“Under price freeze implementation, stores are not allowed to increase the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities beyond their prevailing level,” he said.
DTI published in its Facebook account a list of prevailing prices for basic necessities and prime commodities for the guidance of the consumers and retailers.
Arcangel enjoined consumers to report to DTI any business establishment with prices higher than the listed price freeze list for immediate action.
He said any retailer found selling more than the listed prices will be dealt with fines provided under the Consumers Welfare Act and the Price Act.
For any concerns and reports, DTI Abra can be contacted through 0997-937-0159 or at its office located at Goldland Hotel, Zone 7, Bangued. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
