Gov’t keeps prices on watch this Christmas

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheads the holding of a two-day Diskwento Ramadan from June 26-27 at Plaza Pershing in Zamboanga City. (PNA photo by Teofilo P. Garcia Jr./Zamboanga Bureau)LAM/ron

MANILA – Malacañang pledged to keep the prices of goods on watch this Christmas season to prevent traders from raising them.

“The consumer protection group under Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been very active in their monitoring teams,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

She added that the DTI team has been sending reports to protect the interest of the consumers this Christmas.

The department also has released a list of the suggested retail prices of basic goods as consumers are alarmed of the sudden price increase in some goods by some traders.

Meanwhile, to provide cheaper commodities, DTI’s “Diskwento Caravan” has also been making rounds to provide options for the consumers.

Valte alson said that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be collaborating with the police for the proposal of a new opening and closing schedules for shopping malls.

“I’m quite sure that MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has already coordinated with the Philippine National Police regarding the new opening and closing hours of shopping malls and that security arrangements will be made accordingly,” she said.