DTI to hire job seekers as price monitors

MANILA, Philippines – Workers who lost their jobs as a result of the worldwide financial crunch will have an opportunity to work for the government as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced they will be hiring displaced workers to monitor prices in the metropolis.

Aside from providing livelihood for out of school youth and displaced workers, the government project will likewise make sure that no unscrupulous businessmen will take advantage of the crisis by jacking up prices.

DTI has started hiring 500 displaced workers to regularly monitor prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in Metro Manila supermarkets. Products to be monitored include noodles, sardines, bread, processed meat, and milk. 

DTI Assistant Secretary Pelayo-Ty said with the additional 500 price monitors, the DTI could monitor more supermarkets. “We can quickly get the whole picture of the price of basic commodities in the Metro Manila. Previously, the Department monitors only selected supermarkets because of manpower constraints.”

 “We are asking the cooperation of supermarkets to allow our enlisted personnel to enter their premises and check the prices of basic commodities,” she added.

The survey is a valuable tool of the Department to alert management of surge in prices, Ty said. “It allows the Department to quickly address issues make prices and supply stable.” 

Bantay Presyo project is part of the government’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency and Employment Program (CLEEP) that aims to provide employment interventions to save and create jobs.

The Arroyo administration issued Executive Order 783 putting in place the Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP) to prepare emergency work programs with the following economic classes as beneficiaries: middle class, middle-low income class and the poorest of the poor.

The DTI said they will conduct enhanced price and supply monitoring in the National Capital Region and Region IV-A (CALABARZON) as a contribution to the CLEEP.