SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding various business establishments in this capital town about the 60-day Automatic Price Control (APC) that has been implemented since August 6 after the province was placed under state of calamity.
DTI Antique Trade and Industry Development Specialist Glen Fernando, in an interview on Friday, said the Municipal Price Coordinating Council convened for the implementation of the price control following the declaration of state of calamity here last August 3.
“We are now monitoring daily the supermarkets, grocery stores and wet market in the municipality to ensure that they abide with the Automatic Price Ceiling for basic necessities,” he said.
He said the APC covers canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, bread, instant noodles and mineral water.
“The Automatic Price Ceiling is based on the price of the basic necessities prior to the occurrence of the calamity,” he said.
Fernando said the DTI, at the start of the implementation of the APC, ensured that it would be well disseminated through the assistance of the local media.
He added that unless the price control would be lifted earlier or extended by the local government unit, it would be in effect for 60 days starting August 6.
Meanwhile, Fernando said they are waiting for the Provincial Price Coordinating Council to convene anytime soon after the province of Antique was declared under the state of calamity August 9 so that price control could also be implemented.
“I am already coordinating with the Office of the Governor for the Provincial Price Coordinating Council so that price control could also be implemented,” he said.
He said the DTI Antique has not received an official copy of the declaration of state of calamity in Hamtic and Barbaza towns, which is why price control on basic necessities is not implemented in these municipalities. (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
