Canlaon city: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is verifying reports of unscrupulous vendors increasing the prices of bottled water in typhoon-hit Canlaon City. Krystle Jade Bato, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson and OIC chief of Consumer Welfare Protection Division, stated that her team will remain in Canlaon City for a few days to investigate these reports.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bato mentioned that there have been claims of a 10-liter bottle of water being sold at PHP150 each. Bato emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one exploits the current situation in Canlaon City, which has been severely affected by Typhoon Tino. The typhoon’s strong winds and flash floods have caused significant damage, sealing off major roads, damaging bridges, cutting off water supply lines, and resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 people with several others missing.

Although food and other relief donations continue to arrive, the city remains in dire need of drinking water and other essentials. In response to the crisis, Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has made a social media appeal to ‘habal-habal’ (motorcycle-for-hire) drivers, urging them not to increase their fares during this challenging time.

Bato further explained that the DTI will also investigate allegations of lodging facilities inflating their room prices as donors flock to the city to provide aid. The DTI reminded business establishments that a price freeze is in effect following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of calamity due to the impact of Typhoon Tino.