CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Trade and Industry-Central Luzon (DTI-3) on Tuesday assured the public that prices of basic goods and commodities in the region remain stable and within the standard after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding.
DTI-3 chief Leonila Baluyut said in a radio interview their agency will conduct regular monitoring to apprehend any unscrupulous retailers who might attempt to increase their prices.
Baluyut said the DTI immediately deployed price monitoring teams from the provincial offices to check the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).
"As reported by our provincial offices, the prices and supply of BNPCs remain stable,” she said.
She added that prices in all markets monitored are also within the suggested retail price (SRP).
Baluyut said most of the establishments monitored in the region have supplies that will last within two to three weeks.
"There is enough supply for everyone so there is no need to be alarmed,” she said as she reminded establishments to sell their goods within the SRP.
The DTI official also told the retailers to comply with the price freeze in areas declared under a state of calamity.
The province of Nueva Ecija and the towns of Dingalan in Aurora and Concepcion in Tarlac are now in state of calamity due to the damage to agriculture and infrastructures brought by the typhoon.
Section 6 of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of 1992 states that prices of basic necessities in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control whenever the area is proclaimed or declared a disaster area or under a state of calamity.
Meanwhile, some road networks in Central Luzon are still closed to traffic in the aftermath of "Karding".
Based on the situational report of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Central Luzon (DPWH-3), three road networks in Pampanga and one in Aurora were closed due to flooding.
Among the closed road sections in this province are Apalit–Macabebe–Masantol Road in Barangay San Gabriel, Macabebe which is hardly passable to light vehicles and the Baliwag-Candaba-Sta. Ana Road in Barangay San Agustin, Candaba, which is not passable to all types of vehicles.
Also not passable to all types of vehicles in Pampanga is the Candaba–San Miguel Road in the sections of Barangays Paralaya, Candaba, Magumbali, and Salapungan, all in Candaba town.
The Diteki River Detour Road along Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road is also not passable to all types of vehicles due to high water level.
On the other hand, the General Luna Bridge along Daang Maharlika Highway in Barangay Valdefuente in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija is temporarily closed to traffic to allow the clearing of utility poles that were toppled by "Karding".
The DPWH-Nueva Ecija Second District Engineering Office has advised motorists bound to northern Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley Region to take the Felipe Vergara bypass road. (PNA)
