The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office has intensified price and supply monitoring across the province following widespread flooding caused by typhoon Tino, which prompted official state of calamity declarations in both Cebu Province and Cebu City.
Retailers Warn Against Price Controls
Government-imposed price freezes on essential goods could worsen existing shortages as supply chains struggle to recover from recent typhoons, according to retail industry representatives. Robert Go of Prince Retail Group (PRG) expressed concern that price controls are negatively affecting supply availability.
"Price freezes are affecting supply because manufacturers wait to produce, leaving shelves empty," Go explained. He advocated for market-driven solutions, stating "Better to flood the market with goods than impose controls that risk depleting essentials from shelves due to losses from selling at unreasonably low prices."
Logistics Challenges and Supply Chain Disruptions
Despite logistical preparations for Cebu, where PRG has ramped up its own fleets, built distribution centers and commissioned barges on long-term contracts since the COVID-19 pandemic, significant supply issues persist. Goods from Manila face sudden surges in demand, dwindling stocks and rising manufacturing costs.
The rice supply situation has become particularly critical. "We are running short and all sectors suddenly need rice," Go reported, citing both halted imports and typhoon-damaged agriculture as contributing factors.
Logistics in neighboring Leyte face even greater strain, with the San Juanico Bridge becoming impassable and approximately 200 trucks queued from Ormoc to Basey, Samar. The crossing now takes up to a week to complete, creating massive delays in goods delivery.
Extended Monitoring Period and Future Scarcity
The Department of Trade and Industry's enhanced monitoring will continue through November 5 to January 4, covering a 60-day period unless the President lifts the measures sooner. This extended oversight comes as additional scarcity is expected for sugar, vegetables and other farm products due to shipping disruptions caused by both typhoons Tino and Uwan.
Despite the challenges, Go highlighted that his company's PRG Care Foundation remains prepared to deliver relief goods to affected areas, including heavily impacted barangays in Cotcot and Danao.
