OIC-Provincial Director Mutya D. Eusores, in an interview, disclosed the result of their monitoring of the prices of candles and bottled water which are within the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) and the supplies of these products are also sufficient.

She noted that the DTI regularly monitors bottled water and candles since these products are classified under the basic necessities.

As to flowers, since it does not belong to basic necessities nor prime commodities, they are monitored occasionally as they are considered special products.

Robinsons Mall Antique store manager Miralona D. Siva, in an interview, appreciated the efforts of DTI for checking the products sold in their supermarket as a way of validating their prices and ensuring these are compliant with SRPs.

DTI visited three locations for monitoring of bottled water and candles, a mall, a supermarket, and a terminal of buses and vans in San Jose de Buenavista, while five flower shops were visited for monitoring.

It can be noted that common suppliers of flowers are from Benguet, Baguio, and Cebu for locally produced flowers, while there are few who sell imported ones with dealers from Manila.

For more information about the specific prices of basic necessities and prime commodities including flowers, it will be posted on the DTI Facebook page for the guidance of the public.

Eusores noted that the reference period of the SRP for candles and bottled water was issued last February 2023. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique)