BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – There have been reports of overpricing of goods in typhoon-hit areas in southern Negros Occidental.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged local traders to be compassionate.
After super typhoon “Odette” struck, Lacson said, the first to increase prices were generator sets.
Price increase was also reported in dressed chicken, especially as the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) earlier reported that over one million chickens may have perished during the typhoon.
There was an increase in the price of pork products, too.
Lacson said a price freeze is automatic during disasters although some items such as construction materials were not under price control.
“We will continue to monitor and coordinate with the [Department of Trade and Industry,” Lacson said.
The governor is also studying a possible executive order which would also include other products under price control.
“It depends on the [Provincial Legal Office] if that is possible,” he explained.
Lacson appealed to local traders not to take advantage of the current situation.
He placed the entire province of Negros Occidental under a state of calamity./PN
