Govt agencies say prices of basic commodities in Cebu are stable
By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/06/2009 2:01 AM
The latest price monitoring on basic commodities by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cebu Province Office (CPO) last February 2 showed that both wet markets and supermarkets have maintained their prices for the past weeks.
Zaide Bati-on, DTI-CPO's trade and industry regulatory division chief, said that stores did not even exceed the suggested retail prices (SRP) of the commodities.
“Crisis here in Cebu (in terms of prices of basic commodities) is not yet felt,” said Bati-on.
Bati-on said that based on their record, if prices of canned goods, milk products, and other primary goods from last week will be compared to this week, there was no movement of prices.
Canned sardines with an SRP of P12.87 could be bought in wet markets for P12.40 and P12.30 in supermarket groceries.
Instant noodles with SRP of P6.65 is priced P6.25 in wet markets and P6.50 in supermarket groceries. Detergent soaps with retail price of P20.50 can be bought in supermarkets at P20.45 and P20.50 at wet markets.
Among the basic necessities and prime commodities listed, only the price of coffee refill in wet markets and supermarkets are higher than its SRP. Coffee’s SRP is P14.60 but is sold at P15.00 and P14.65.
No price increases in medicines
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Food and Drugs of Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 said that there is also no alarming increase in prices of 39 essential medicines.
Dr. Angelita Salarda, chief of the DOH- 7 health and regulation division, said that they are waiting for the cheaper medicines bill to take effect so that the manufacturer’s selling price of medicines will be implemented.
Salarda said that they have conducted their monitoring of drug prices last week and have submitted reports to their head office in Manila.
No LPG scarcity - DOE
The Department of Energy Visayas office also clarified that there is no scarcity of supply of LPG in regions 6, 7, and 8.
Saul Gonzales, DOE Visayas Energy Industry Management chief, said that unlike reports coming from Manila on shortage of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, their office has not received reports from dealers in the Visayas regarding shortage of supply.
Gonzales said that they have asked DTI also to check the supply of LPG among outlets. The reports have reportedly been submitted to Manila.
Supply of LPG is not a problem at all, Gonzales said, but there is an increasing trend in LPG prices. They have monitored five LPG suppliers in the three regions; Gasul, Shellane, Petronas, Prycegas, and Caltex.
Their record showed that the prices of 11-kilogram LPG tank from January up to early this February had gone up by P25-P79.
Gasul, which used to be at P469 is now priced at P544. Shellane was at P550, now it’s at P575. Petronas from P470 is now at P545. Prycegas is now at P554 from P485 while Caltex is also priced at P544 from P468.
Gonzales assured that if the prices of LPG in certain outlets will increase toan unreasonable price, DOE will investigate it. He said that the prices and supply will be closely monitored with their weekly inspection on suppliers.
as of 02/06/2009 2:18 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment