The Capiceños were advised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prepare early the
needed commodities for the All Saints and All Souls Days on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively, for
convenience and to avoid opportunistic merchants taking advantage of the season.
This was conveyed by DTI provincial director Ken Queenie Cuñada during the monitoring of at least 11
establishments in the city, Oct. 26, to ensure that the retailers and ambulant vendors will sell the
commodities like candles, bottled water, and flowers based on the Suggested Retail Price (SRP).
The DTI Provincial Office has formed the “Oplan Bantay Presyo Undas 2023” team to conduct the
monitoring activity to protect the interest of the consumers by ensuring that the prices of “fast-
moving commodities” remain stable despite increasing demand in the observance of “Undas” this
year.
The Roxas City government’s Business Process and Licensing Office also joined the team, which also
monitored the upcoming occasion’s high-traffic areas like transport terminals, flower shops, and
cemeteries.
“To our consumers, we advise not to wait for the last minute to buy our needs as you might end up
buying from unscrupulous vendors when you run out of time,” she stressed.
Further, the public is encouraged to exercise their consumer rights and responsibilities to protect
themselves from potential exploitation or misinformation amid the occasion of religious tradition and
cultural norms.
Roxas City government’s BPLO representatives Neldie Lozada (left) as well as Marites Arquisola
(middle), and DTI provincial director monitor prices and supplies of candle at a Roxas City sidewalk.
Cuñada also asked for the cooperation of the merchants of the in-demand commodities for Undas as
the DTI and local government units are monitoring violators to protect the consuming public against
unreasonable price increases or fraudulent practices.
The price monitoring is also in time with the yearly Consumer Welfare Month every October as
embodied in Proclamation No. 1098 issued in 1997.
