Public urged to report calamity opportunists

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is urging the public to help police incidents of overpricing or hoarding.

DTI-Cebu has set up dedicated channels to easily apprehend these calamity “opportunists” through  Facebook: DTI Cebu, DTI Cebu Email: [email protected] and Mobile Hotline: +63 917 818 8419 with proof/evidences.

DTI Cebu informs all consumers and retailers that based on Section 6 of Republic Act 7581 as amended by RA 10623, otherwise known as the Price Act, prices of basic necessities in proclaimed or declared a disaster area or under a state of calamity or under an emergency shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.

Unless sooner lifted by the President of the Philippines, price control of basic necessities shall remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not more than sixty (60) days.

For illegal price manipulation, a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (5,000.00) nor more than Two Million (2,000,000.00) shall be imposed against the violator.

Among the commodities that are categorized as basic necessities and monitored by the DTI are Bread, Canned fish and marine products, Potable water in bottles and containers, Processed milk, Locally manufactured instant noodles, Coffee, Salt, Laundry soap, Detergent, Candles, Flour Processed and canned pork, Processed and canned beef and poultry meat, Vinegar, Patis, soy sauce, Toilet soap, Paper, school supplies, Cement, clinker, G.I. Sheets, Hollow blocks, Construction nails , Batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs , Steel wires

Retailers in Cebu province, including Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City are called to observe the price freeze order.

Meanwhile, the DTI-7 and DTI-Cebu Provincial office are currently assessing the supply situation of basic necessities in the region after super typhoon Odette recently devastated the area, cutting power and water lines.

The DTI Cebu provincial Office staff, during their visit to the Natures Spring main water processing plant this morning of December 22, talked with National Marketing Manager Michael Embestro and were informed that their main plant is not accepting walk-ins since yesterday December 21, 2021.

According to Embestro, Natures Spring main plant in the province is currently supplying Cebu’s supermarkets and grocery outlets only. He said that the company can only process water at 50 percent to 60 percent capacity since they are only using 2 out 5 production lines with the use of generator sets.

As of now, Embestro said, they have requested the Nature’s Spring Ormoc plant to augment Cebu's supply needs.

Embestro hopes that with the immediate restoration of electricity in the province, the main plant’s water processing capacity will reach 100 percent.

Natures Spring currently focuses on the processing of water and selling these to supermarkets and grocery outlets in the following bottle sizes:  10 liters, 6.6 liters, 500ML and 1 liter. Prices of the said products are at the same price during pre-typhoon situation.