ANTIQUE – Retailers in this province have so far been compliant with the automatic price ceiling (APC), which was put in place following the declaration of a state of calamity after Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” struck.
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial officer-in-charge Lynna Joy Cardinal, they have been conducting price monitoring since Nov. 7 with the help of their Negosyo Center councilors.
“Per our monitoring, the major retail stores in Antique are compliant with the APC,” Cardinal said.
Retail stores have been provided with price guides of basic and prime commodities to help them comply with the APC, the DTI officer said.
Cardinal also assured the public that there is a sufficient supply of basic and prime commodities in the province.
“Unlike during the first week of November, when the supply of noodles and sardines were in demand and almost running out because of various relief operations, there is sufficient supply now,” Cardinal said.
The province remains in a state of calamity due to the effects of “Paeng”.
She said the DTI regional office has also requested, through the Office of Civil Defense, a Navy ship to transport goods from Iloilo province to Antique after “Paeng” left major routes impassable.
“The Navy ship has so far transported already the goods three times, with the latest (being) Nov. 14,” Cardinal said.
Most suppliers of basic and prime commodities in Antique are based in Iloilo City, which is the center of trade and commerce in the Western Visayas region. (PNA)/PN
