No panic buying in Pangasinan amid COVID-19 scare
EXCEPT for brisk sales of bottles of alcohol, toilet papers and hand sanitizers, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) executive in Pangasinan said there was no panic buying of basic goods and other prime commodities in Pangasinan amid the COVID-19 scare.
Natalie Dalaten, DTI officer-in-charge provincial director, told the KBP forum that this was the finding of the agency’s monitoring.
“If one bought one item only before then buys two, that’s not panic buying,” she said.
She added that there is also no shortage of basic necessities in Pangasinan.
“In cases of emergencies like this, like the COVID-19, the local price coordinating council is tasked to convene and to study products that are needed and whose supply is fast depleting that results in price hike and they will recommend to the President to have mandated price ceiling for such products,” Dalaten said.
She said according to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, there is nothing to worry about alcohol supply because there are many manufacturers in the Philippines unlike face masks.
She lauded mall management and other traders who decided to sell one or two bottles of alcohol only per customer at this time, to all buyers to give equal chance to buy such item “because some who have the capacity to buy in bulk or big volume sometimes take advantage”.
She said unscrupulous businessmen are under watch for possible violation of hoarding, profiteering or cartel based on Republic Act 7581. (PhilStar Wire Service/ECV)
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