SAN JOSE, Antique – Business retailers from three northern municipalities hit by typhoon Ursula inwere reminded to observe the Automatic Price Ceiling (APC).
The APC was approved by their respective Municipal Price Coordinating Councils (MPCC) with assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province.
Lynna Joy Cardinal, provincial office information officer of DTI Antique, said Wednesday the municipalities of Caluya, Pandan and Libertad carried out the APC in order to secure prices of the basic necessities to not go up. The typhoon hit the three cities the hardest.
“Retailers in the three municipalities Caluya, Pandan, and Libertad are being reminded to adhere to the APC,” Cardinal said.
The towns of Caluya and Pandan declared a state of calamity on Dec. 26, 2019, while the town of Libertad was placed under a state of calamity last Dec. 27.
“The Negosyo Center counselors in the three municipalities conduct daily monitoring of the prices of the basic necessities to make sure that the retailers adhere to the APC,” Cardinal added.
The price of basic necessities, with the implementation of the APC, is based on the prevailing prices of goods being sold in the municipalities.
155 grams of Lucky 7 sardines in tomato sauce for example, the APC is P15.50 in Pandan; P19 in Caluya, and P15.50 in Libertad. 300ml Alaska sweetened condensed milk is being sold for P57, P65 and P60 in respective places based on the APC.
She said the prices of the goods vary also because of the transportation cost of retailers in transporting basic necessities.
“Since the retailers are being monitored daily, they should not sell the basic necessities beyond the APC. Otherwise, they will be given notice of violation by the DTI,” Cardinal added.
Negosyo Center counselors also conduct daily monitoring as for the other towns when the province was placed under state of calamity last Dec. 31.
The Provincial Price Coordinating Council will meet this coming Jan. 13. (With a report from PNA/PN)