BANGUED,Abra (PIA) --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Abra  is closely monitoring  prices of basic  commodities  in retail stores in the province  amid reports of  increase of loaf bread prices in the capital town of  Bangued after  super typhoon Egay  battered  Northern Luzon last week.

 DTI-Abra OIC Provincial Director Marvin Arcangel  said  he immediately deployed monitoring teams to check the prices of basic  goods such as breads, canned goods, rice, hygiene products, bottled water and instant noodles.

“We immediately conducted price monitoring among business establishments in Bangued to ensure that prices are in line with the suggested retail price. At the  moment, there a two monitoring teams rolling around Bangued,” he said in an interview.

Following the declaration of  the province under  state of calamity,  DTI immediately enforced price freeze on  basic  goods,  Arcangel said .

 “Under price freeze implementation, stores are not allowed to increase the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities beyond their prevailing level,” he explained.

DTI published a list of prevailing prices for basic necessities and prime commodities for the guidance of the consumers and retailers. It can be found in DTI’s official facebook page.

Arcangel  is enjoining  consumers to report to DTI  any business establishment with  prices higher than the listed price freeze list  for immediate action.

 He said that any retailer found selling more than the listed prices will be dealt with fines provided under the Consumers Welfare Act and the Price Act. For any concerns and reports,

DTI Abra can be contacted thru 0997 937 0159 or at  its office located at Goldland Hotel, Zone 7, Bangued. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)