The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Iloilo has conducted a price and supply monitoring as part of the DTI Nationwide Undas Bantay Presyo, which aimed to ensure fair prices and ample supply of basic goods during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1-2, 2023.

The agency visited different locations in the metro, which include retail markets, flower shops, and transport terminals, among others to closely inspect the prices and supply of basic goods, such as bottled water, candles and flowers.

DTI-Iloilo director Ma. Dinda Tamayo, in an interview, stressed that there is a sufficient supply of basic goods and the prices are also stable.

“Sa kandila, bastante ang supply kag ara man sila sa SRP, while sa bulak naman direct supplier ang ginahalinan from Benguet and Cebu. Ang [demand] sa bulak, right now, hindi pa tama ka damo, but they are expecting nga mastart sila sa weekend,” she said.

Flowers are not identified as basic necessities or prime commodities by the DTI, but are considered as special products monitored occasionally, as such, “they are subject of consumer transactions and consumers have to be protected against deceptive or unfair and unconscionable sales practices.”

Tamayo clarified that the one-day monitoring under the Nationwide Undas Bantay Presyo activity is purely for monitoring of supply and prices and no enforcement will be conducted.

“Wala kita naga impose, this is purely monitoring. In fact, ang ginatan-aw naton is ang SRP sang brands and then ang aton monitoring lang, tan-awon nga bastante kita sa kinahanglanon naton nga bulak, kandila kag tubig. So far, wala kita sang may nakita nga problema sa supply,” she said.

DTI-Iloilo noted that the monitoring activity is conducted simultaneously across the region as part of the proactive measure of DTI-6 to protect consumers’ rights and ensure that the necessary products remain accessible at reasonable prices in Western Visayas.

The agency urged the public to report to their nearest DTI offices or through the DTI hotline (DTI-1384) the practices they observed or experienced that violate consumer welfare.

The Nationwide Undas Bantay Presyo is a first ever nationwide, whole of government initiative of the DTI to ensure that the rights and interest of consumers are protected; their welfare amply promoted; and the established standards of business are observed.AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo