The Department of Trade and Industry is maintaining its suggested retail price (SRP) for candles amid increasing demand for the product in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Retailers are warned not to increase prices of unscented candles beyond SRPs as these are considered as basic goods.
Consumers are also advised to buy candles in groceries and supermarkets where prices are being monitored.
Under the August 2022 SRP list, depending on sizes and pieces of candles per pack, prices of candle brand 5-Star Esperma ranges from P49.83 to P137.93; Export Candles from P29.75 to P99.75; Liwanag Esperma candle from P46.42 to P177.71; and Manila Wax from P47.74 to P82.76.
Any incident of overpricing may be reported to DTI through 1-DTI (384) or 0917-834-3330.
For prices of flowers, DTI said there will be no SRPs that will be released as these are not considered as basic goods.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has been placed on “heightened alert” Monday as part of preparation for this year’s “Undas.”
Admiral Artemio Abu, PCG commandant, directed operating units to be on heightened alert from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3.
“Our PCG Districts conduct 24/7 operations to monitor nauticalhighways routes, especially in the Visayas where the majority of tourist destinations are situated. We have maritime safety inspectors in port terminals, law enforcement teams in strategic locations, maritime patrol teams in critical vicinity waters, and deployable response groups (DRGs) on standby for possible search and rescue missions during maritime incidents or emergencies,”Abu said.
The Land Transportation Office will also go on a heightened alert for Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Undas 2022 from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4, LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz III said.
“We are already anticipating our cemeteries to be teeming with more people during the week prior to All Saints’ Day compared to the previous two years since lockdowns and community quarantines have already been lifted,” he said.
“The public can rest assured, however, that the LTO will monitor the situation in our roads in close coordination with various transport groups and other concerned government agencies in the areas of law enforcement and medical emergency response to ensure that road safety will always be observed and maintained,” he added.