DTI orders 'price freeze' on water sold in water stations
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo provincial office has ordered a "price freeze" on the selling price of water being sold at water stations.
This was reached after a meeting called by City Mayor Jerry Treñas and DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena with owners of water stations yesterday afternoon.
Cadena, in a telephone interview, said the price of a standard five-liter container should not go beyond P40 when delivered and P25 if bought directly from the water station.
The ceiling price was determined based on the prevailing price of water before the calamity.
Cadena said any water stations found selling above the stated ceiling price could be liable for overpricing.
He thus urged water buyers to demand for a receipt that could be used as evidence against greedy water sellers.
Cadena also warned those water stations who will attempt to limit the selling of water that they could be charged of hoarding.
Cadena stressed that water is a basic commodity hence its price can be controlled in times of calamity.
Earlier, Mayor Treñas warned to close water stations taking advantage of the problem on water shortage by drastically increasing the prices of water they sell.
In a text message, Mayor Jerry Trenas yesterday said operators of the water refilling station in the city were made to understand that they cannot make any increase otherwise they will be held liable.
The city is currently suffering from a shortage of potable water supply from the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) after its main pipeline in Barangay Amerang, Cabatuan was destroyed by Typhoon Frank. A mobile water treatment plant is already here to help in the water needs of the city. Three more mobile water treatment plant are expected to arrive this week.
Before the mayor's warning, it was learned that some water stations sell a five-liter container for as high as P50.
The trade department is the government agency that regulates the price of commodities while the local government units are mandated by Presidential Decree PD 856 or the Sanitation Code of the Philippines to issue sanitary permit, sanitary clearance, health certificates, certificate of potability, drinking water site clearance and closure order (if necessary) and to conduct sanitary inspection of water refill stations.