DTI urged to monitor prices of electric fans, cooling agents
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been urged to monitor the prices of electric fans and other heat-reducing agents that are on high demand during summer season.
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman made the call in response to the observation of some consumers regarding the supposed substantial increase in the prices of standard stand fans and wall fans, making these unaffordable for many buyers.
Online retail shops for some electronics brands show that the cheapest wall fan now costs P1,500, while an industrial stand fan costs P2,000.
This is far from the prices before the summer season, where a basic wall fan can still be bought for as low as P1,300, while the industrial stand fan can be bought for around P1,450.
“Ang electric fan dapat ang pinakamurang pamatid init na abot kaya kahit ng mga pamilyang Pinoy na salat sa yaman. Hindi dapat mabutas ang kanilang mga bulsa para lang makaramdam ng kaginhawaan ngayong panahon ng tag-init.” Roman said.
“Kung ‘di mababantayan ang presyo niyan, baka liparin na tayong lahat dahil hindi na makayang bilhin,” she added.
The chairperson of the House committee on women’s rights and gender equality suggested that concerned agencies should have a discussion with the electronic brands about the observed price hikes of these appliances.
She also noted that the extreme heat in the country should not be ignored, especially after some students in Occidental Mindoro collapsed due to heat stroke, and a vendor in Isabela died because of the same condition.
“Nakababahala na may mga kababayan tayong nanganganib ang buhay dahil dito. Kailangang tratuhin na ito bilang seryosong problema na dapat solusyunan ng mga ahensyang may sakop nito,” the lawmaker said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the weather may become even hotter in May, with heat indexes reaching over 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the Philippines.
