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| Diskwento Caravan in Maasin, Leyte |
After
a successful run in Ormoc, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) brings
the Diskwento Caravan to Maasin today (Nov. 18), Baybay, Leyte and Calbayog,
Samar on Nov. 19, and Catbalogan on Nov. 20.
In a statement released to the media, DTI Central Visayas (DTI 7) Regional Director Asteria Caberte explained that Diskwento Caravans are meant to stabilize food supply in calamity areas and bring basic necessities at discounted prices to consumers, particularly in areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda.
DTI 7 regional office is closely coordinating with the DTI Eastern Visayas (DTI 8) Office, the Local Government Units (LGUs), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in holding the Diskwento Caravans.
In a statement released to the media, DTI Central Visayas (DTI 7) Regional Director Asteria Caberte explained that Diskwento Caravans are meant to stabilize food supply in calamity areas and bring basic necessities at discounted prices to consumers, particularly in areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda.
DTI 7 regional office is closely coordinating with the DTI Eastern Visayas (DTI 8) Office, the Local Government Units (LGUs), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in holding the Diskwento Caravans.
Products featured in the Diskwento Caravan include bottled water, canned goods, coffee, milk, noodles, biscuits, bread, among others.
Five manufacturers and retailers in Cebu and Bohol including Alturas Group of Companies, Gardenia, NutriAsia, Dranix Distributors, Inc., Nestle, Purefoods/ San Miguel Corporation, Century Canning, Unilever are joining the Diskwento Caravans.
Sales during the Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc on Nov. 14 reached Php833,743.00 and generated around 8,803 transactions.
DTI is planning to mount a Diskwento Caravan in Tacloban, Leyte this coming Thursday, November 21.
Dir. Caberte underscores that the DTI conducts Diskwento Caravans in areas to ensure that local consumers will have enough access to essential goods and that prices of basic commodities are stabilized in the midst of the crisis consumers are facing.
The Diskwento Caravan is a project of the DTI which upholds the right of consumers to have access to prime and basic goods.
For more information on the Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc, interested parties may contact the following telephone numbers: DTI-Region 7 (032) 255.0036 or 255.0037.
Price freeze in Central Visayas
Meanwhile, Dir.
Caberte disclosed that a price freeze on basic and prime goods is in effect in the provinces of
Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cebu and Siquijor which have been placed under a State
of Calamity due to damages brought by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and category 5 typhoon.
Dir. Caberte explained that “the declaration of a state of calamity in a particular area renders an automatic price freeze on basic goods and considers prevailing prices at the time of the declaration as the actual price of these products.”
“As contained in Section 6 of RA 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act, a price freeze is automatically implemented as a preventive measure in order to thwart overpricing of goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread during times of calamities,” Caberte added.
Dir. Caberte explained that “the declaration of a state of calamity in a particular area renders an automatic price freeze on basic goods and considers prevailing prices at the time of the declaration as the actual price of these products.”
“As contained in Section 6 of RA 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act, a price freeze is automatically implemented as a preventive measure in order to thwart overpricing of goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread during times of calamities,” Caberte added.
Caberte
said that “a price control is in effect for the duration of 60 days or until the state of calamity is lifted.”
She warned businessmen of the penalty for profiteering in price freeze areas. “In Section 5 of the Price Act, profiteering is one of the illegal acts of price manipulation. It provides that an administrative fine of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and/ or a maximum of 10-year imprisonment shall be imposed for violation of Price Control or the price freeze. “
The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI – canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and, salt; assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other marine products; assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – firewood and charcoal; and, the Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH.
The DTI, as chairperson of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), coordinates with members from government and private sectors, to cooperate with one another during natural disasters and emergencies.
She warned businessmen of the penalty for profiteering in price freeze areas. “In Section 5 of the Price Act, profiteering is one of the illegal acts of price manipulation. It provides that an administrative fine of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and/ or a maximum of 10-year imprisonment shall be imposed for violation of Price Control or the price freeze. “
The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI – canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and, salt; assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other marine products; assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – firewood and charcoal; and, the Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH.
The DTI, as chairperson of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), coordinates with members from government and private sectors, to cooperate with one another during natural disasters and emergencies.
Aside from basic and prime commodities, the DTI provincial
offices in Central Visayas are presently monitoring prices and supply of
construction and electrical materials, as well as compliance to mandatory
standards, as part of its continuing interventions against the adverse impact
of calamities. (end)
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