NO PRICE HIKE. Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista (black sleeveless shirt) supervises disaster operations and warned traders hoarding basic goods and selling at unreasonable prices that they will be dealt with accordingly. The mayor also directed local officials to closely monitor unreasonable price increases for basic goods. (Photo courtesy of Kidapawan CIO)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Mayor Joseph Evangelista has warned of drastic measures against unscrupulous businessmen who raise the prices of basic commodities amidst the prevailing natural calamity.
Evangelista said Monday he received reports that prices of rice, canned goods, sugar, milk, including tarpaulin and bottled water have skyrocketed.
“There is no room for opportunists in times of crisis,” the mayor said.
He said local officials have been directed to closely monitor grocery stores, public markets, and even roadside stores to ensure no unreasonable price increases on basic goods.
Evangelista has also asked the public to demand receipts for their purchases.
“When prices are unreasonable, you forward the complaint to my office so appropriate actions could be undertaken against the business establishments,” he said.
A consumer posted on her social media account that prices of tarpaulin sheets in some hardware stores in the city are going as high as PHP200 per meter, compared to the PHP60 meter normal price before the series of earthquakes that struck this city and parts of Mindanao in the past two weeks. (PNA)
