MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will not get in the way of the expected steep increases in the prices of flowers and candles during the observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1.
According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, these are one-time and seasonal adjustments.
“Hayaan na natin, may seasonality ‘yan at diyan din kikita ‘yung mga magbu-bulaklak. Pakitain naman natin,” Lopez said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
Asked if the DTI would allow vendors to set their own prices of flowers and candles during the Nov. 1 holiday, the Trade chief said, “of course, go ahead.”
“Anyway, alam niyo hanggang umaga ng Nov. 1 lang naman ‘yan e kapag sa hapon bagsak din naman ang presyo niyan… Ilang oras lang ‘yan.”
The Cabinet official advised consumers to buy candles at grocery stores as these are covered by the DTI’s suggested retail prices.
“Kapag bumili kayo on-site, parang sari-sari store sa tabi ng sementeryo, wala na tayong control diyan…so asahan niyo na kung anong gusto nilang presyo that day magse-set ‘yan at hindi na natin papakialaman ‘yon,” Lopez said.
“Kung gusto niyo ng stable na presyo ‘yung naka SRP bumili kayo sa grocery,” he said.
The Trade chief said allowing small businesses to surge prices of flowers and candles is also a way to help them earn more.
“Kandila at bulaklak ibigay na natin sa maliliit na negosyante at kung pupwede ‘wag na natin tawaran tulungan na natin yung maliliit na negosyante,” Lopez said. (ABS-CBN News)
