The Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental has strengthened its price monitoring operations to prevent unscrupulous dealers from taking advantage of the calamity wrought by storm Sendong.
DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte gave the instructions to the provincial DTI office during the visit of President Benigno Aquino III to Negros Oriental last Tuesday.
The President had earlier ordered a freeze in the prices of basic commodities, particularly of rice and canned goods, to pre-Sendong levels.
Caberte said anyone found violating the price freeze order could face administrative and criminal charges.