The department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol is watching prices of the most in-demand items during the holidays, particularly noche buena products as shoppers start to flock stores in preparation for Christmas.

According to Joe Hibaya, provincial chief of DTI’s Consumer Welfare and Business Regulations Division, the department’s personnel will start to conduct monitoring operations in markets, big stores and malls.

The monitoring will continue until December as Christmas parties are widely celebrated during the period, Hibaya said.

He noted that for now, consumers do not need to worry as the DTI has not observed any price hikes yet.

In September, the DTI implemented a prize freeze order following President Rodrigi Duterte’s declaration of a state of national emergency on the account of a state of lawlessness.

Through the prize freeze order, consumers are protected from errant businessmen who overprice their goods.

Last year, there were several complaints from consumers against retailers selling overpriced noche buena items. (Allen Doydora)

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