DTI warns public against panic buying; more shoppers troop to grocery stores

CEBU, Philippines - Consumers have started flocking to local grocery stores to stock up on supplies in preparation for the coming of typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit) which is forecast to hit the country tomorrow.

The Department of Trade and Industry, though, advised the public not to start panic buying, as the supply of goods in local markets is enough to meet the surge in demand.

The agency issued the advisory yesterday morning.

DTI-7 Director Asteria Caberte said panic buying is a natural reaction that is understandable as people already learned the importance of preparedness from previous disasters.

She, however, said the public should just buy stocks enough only during the days the typhoon is here to also allow others to likewise get much needed basic goods.

Supermarket managers told The FREEMAN yesterday that they already observe the rise in the number of shoppers as early as last Tuesday evening, which they said was an unusual occurrence for a weekday.

“We’re actually now in a typhoon preparedness status,” said Angeli Christi Ladot, manager of Metro Supermarket in Ayala Center Cebu.

“Last Tuesday night nisugod og daghan ang mga tawo after working hours. And we’re eventually expecting more until weekend,” she said.

Ladot said many of the shoppers were looking for flashlights, batteries, and candles aside from the usual food products.

Most grocery shoppers bought emergency preparedness supplies such as canned goods, instant noodles, biscuits, rice, bottled water, coffee, etc.

Aside from these items, however, said she also bought batteries and candles in a store in the city as part of her preparations for the storm.

“Mangandam na lang gyud ta kay nakat-on na ta sa atong experience sa bagyong Yolanda,” said 50-year-old Norma Cingco of Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, while joining the crowd of buyers at the canned goods section of a supermarket.

Sally Arcilla, 42, of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, went to a retail store in downtown Cebu City yesterday to buy rice stocks and other goods.

“Mas maayo nang andam ta ba kay di ra ba nato mahibaw-an ang panahon,” she said.

Roldan Supatan, selling area head of Colonnade Supermarket, confirmed noting an “abnormal rise” in the number of shoppers since Tuesday night.

He said the number of people compared to normal days has tripled.

“Atong makita nga mas doble gyud ron ang preparation sa public in securing food supply. Our management also directed us to display more candles, matches, batteries,” he said.

RJ Leduna, public relations manager of SM Supermalls in the Visayas, the company has prepared for the expected surge in the number of buyers today and during the weekend.

Rowena Tangoan, Metro Colon supermarket manager, likewise observed that most of their customers yesterday bought noodles, candles, batteries and flashlights.

With the increase in the number of customers, Caberte warned retailers not take advantage by jacking up prices of their goods, reminding them of the penalties that would be imposed on them if they are caught violating the Price Act.

Zaide Bation, DTI’s consumer welfare division chief, likewise advised the public to not deprive others from procuring goods by avoiding panic buying.

Philippine Retailers Association president Robert Go, though, said panic buying is a common and normal reaction of consumers, adding that there is nothing wrong with stocking up for the upcoming typhoon.

To keep a tight watch on the prices of basic commodities, DTI-Cebu Province has deployed personnel to monitor and evaluate prices of goods sold in various establishments in Cebu.

 DTI-Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro said 10 monitoring teams have been fielded in different areas of the province to check the supply and prices of basic and prime commodities in anticipation of the coming typhoon.

Navarro reported during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emergency meeting yesterday that no scarcity of supply has been reported so far and that prices have remained stable.

“We have more than enough goods at department stores and groceries. There is no reason for panic buying because we have enough supply. Last night (Wednesday), we went to the northern part of Cebu City to check if there was indeed panic buying, but we did not see any,” she told reporters.

Upon the declaration of a state of calamity, which automatically freezes the price of basic commodities, Navarro said DTI would also conduct everyday monitoring of prices.

“We will check at what prices we are going to freeze and put it on the newspapers,” she added.

She, however, is confident that Cebu City establishments would not inflate their prices.

“Based sa atong observation di ingon ana atong establishments. I think because they also have this corporate sense of responsibility that they will not take advantage of the situation,” Navarro said.

For its part, the National Food Authority said it would also implement a fast lane for responding government agencies, as suggested by the mayors during the PDRRMC meeting yesterday.

Grace Rodriguez, NFA acting provincial manager, said enough supply of rice has been made available.

“So far, wa pa may massive buying, normal ra. No need to panic because we have the supply,” she assured.

Rodriguez said local government units covered by a memorandum of Agreement with the NFA can purchase rice supplies on credit basis. (FREEMAN)