CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Department of Trade and Industry Chief Consumer Protection Division Head Nathaniel M. Samson said school supplies are not included in the implemented price freeze after Typhoons Egay and Falcon affected areas in Pampanga province.
Speaking to reporters during the DTI’s “Kapehan ng Media” at Café Vie last August 8, Samson said school supplies are not categorized as basic necessities and instead DTI has released a suggested retail price (SRP) for the consumers’ guidance.
“Doon sa price freeze, nagsimula po yan noong July 31 at magtatapos sa September 29, sa ngayon wala po wala po tayong complaints na nagtaasan. Di naman po nagsara mga supermarkets natin ang mahirap lang po during Egay and Falcon ay yung accessibility ng mga establishment at daily po ang monitoring natin ay sila po ay umaayon sa SRPs natin na pinapairal ng DTI at ganoon din po ang inventory level ay napakataas po,” according to Samson.
More than 17,000 out of the 52,000 businesses in Pampanga province were affected by the flooding and the traffic along the North Luzon Expressway particularly at the Tulaoc, San Simon area, according to DTI Pampanga Director Elenita Ordonio.
“Hindi po makapag transport ng mga goods and raw materials ang ating mga MSMEs ng dahil sa baha at traffic sa NLEX,” said Ordonio.
