22 traders in Albay charged with overpricing

01 January 2007

By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon

LEGAZPI CITY—AT LEAST 22 business owners in Albay found selling overpriced products after Supertyphoon “Reming” were charged by the Department of Trade and Industry here with violations of the Price Act while 11 others faced charges for selling deceptive and substandard products.

Jocelyn Blanco, DTI-Bicol’s regional director, said the 22 business owners sold construction materials and candles at more than 10 percent of the prevailing price.

“After the typhoon, the Bicolanos needed GI (galvanized iron) sheets, umbrellas, common wire nails and candles but some businessmen took advantage of the huge demand for these commodities,” Blanco said.

Jackie Misolas, 45, owner of the Anneraiz General Merchandise, one of the candle stores in this city that did not increase its prices, said an increase was not reasonable since factory prices remained the same even after Typhoons “Milenyo,” Reming, and “Seniang.”

Prices of candles commonly used by powerless households at Anneraiz, depending on the size, would range from P5.75 to P77 per piece. Misolas said these candles were non-drip and high-quality candles from Cavite.

Demand for candles increased as 86 percent of Albay still remained powerless after Reming destroyed power lines amounting to P198 million, Alex Realoza, general manager of the Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco), said Friday.