Price freeze imposed in Boracay; displaced workers trained – DTI VI

DTI Consumer Protection Division Chief Felisa Judith Degala (left) leads the price monitoring of supermarkets, grocery stores, and hardware and construction supplies in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

Automatic price control was imposed in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan - comprising the three villages of Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak - following the declaration of the state of calamity and the temporary closure of the island as a tourist destination starting April 26.

DTI VI OIC Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon said that price monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) have been regularly conducted before the declaration, thus it was not difficult to determine the automatic price ceiling of the BNPCs that is based on the prices a month ago.

These basic necessities include canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, and locally-manufactured noodles.

With the closure, entry to the island is regulated. Thus, suppliers are directed by the local government unit to secure a certification that indeed they supply goods in the island for them to be allowed entry to Boracay Island.

DTI Consumer Protection Division Chief Felisa Judith Degala said that the regional office will publish the prices of basic necessities in conspicuous places in the island, at the jetty port and in newspaper of regional circulation to inform the public coming in and out of the island.

The DTI Aklan Provincial Office conducts continuous monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities in supermarkets, grocery stores, and hardware and construction supplies in the island.

The DTI likewise identified activities that may provide workers alternative income and other alternative markets for the MSMEs. These include the mounting of Boracay Island Festivals in Manila; mounting of kiosks in airports and jetty ports, malls, and Go Lokal! Stores to exhibit local products of Boracay Island, among others.

Residents, displaced workers, and local entrepreneurs join the skills training on silk screen printing at the Tindahan it Boracay in Sitio Kipot, Brgy. Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. 

There will be trainings, coaching and mentoring on business opportunities; online marketing seminar; and financial assistance through the Pondo para sa Pagbagago at Pag-asenso, among others.

Other national government agencies have started to introduce plans and programs for the clean-up and rehabilitation, and initiatives to cushion the impact of the closure of the island. An inter-agency action center was put up in front of the Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay.