To ease the apprehension that some business establishments might take advantage of the influx of guests and participants on the DAVRAA 2017 Meet, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reassured the public that there will be no price hike on basic commodities on the duration of the said event.
In a discussion with the media during the Kapihan Sang Kapitolyo yesterday, DTI OIC Provincial Director Jose Calub reiterated that price freeze is still effective until March 24. He said that they continue to monitor price surge and emphasized that they strictly impose fine to those who do not follow the suggested retail price of a product.
He also warned the public to be vigilant against market vendors who use defective weighing scale. He further advised that a complaint may be filed should retailers do not put price tags ontheir products.
However, Calub said that only basic commodities are under the price freeze since goods from the wet market such as meat and other agricultural products are beyond their jurisdiction. “Prices of meat and other agricultural products cannot be regulated because it is affected by the law of demand and supply. With the influx of visitors during DAVRAA, the demand for these products is higher and thus higher price is expected”.
Calub finally encouraged everyone to take part on their intensified campaign to protect consumers’ rights especially against profiteering.
Kapehan sa Kapitolyo
Kapihan Sang Kapitolyo, which was held in the grand conference room of the Provincial Capitol, is a newly-launched program of the provincial government which tapped local media outlets to update people of the government’srecent development activities. It is a brainchild of Ednar Dayanghirang, the Governor’s Chief of Staff. He said it is “a venue for sharing information for the public” because “a public that is well informed strengthens the spirit of democracy”. He added that it will promote transparency “to serve the public better”.
The said program will be held every Monday where head of offices are invited to discuss with the local media practitioners about the status of their program implementations. During the launching of the said event yesterday, Department Head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources office, Dolores Valdesco and Provincial Agriculture OfficeDepartment Head Rotchie Ravelo, as well as DTI OIC Provincial Director Jose Calub, have talked about the recent accomplishments of their respective offices. (Riza M. Golez/PIO DavOr)
