On Monday, April 13, 2026, around three in the morning, an improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown at a gambling den, leaving a sizable hole in its roof. Fourteen people were hurt and taken to the hospital. Witnesses identified the incident's perpetrator as a 32-year-old miner. He was apprehended right away and is being held by the police. **Photo by neimless_skills
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) urged consumers to take time to compare prices across different stores before making a purchase.
“Especially if you have time, compare which establishment offers a lower price than the others, which will be a way of saving on cost,” DTI-CAR assistant regional director Samuel Gallardo said in an interview Thursday.
Gallardo also encouraged buyers to look for promos and discounts and buy only what they need.
“Do not buy unnecessary items if there are no extra funds as they may just end up being spoiled if not cooked,” he added.
Ralph Altiyen, DTI Baguio-Benguet consumer protection division head, in a interview posted on social media, said they have noted price increases in at least 45 items, such as noodles, coffee, bottled water and canned goods.
He, however, said the price range of these products are still within the suggested retail price (SRP) issued by the DTI central office in Manila.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque earlier announced that prices of basic and prime commodities monitored by the DTI will remain unchanged until April 30.
Altiyen, meanwhile, said 14 items were found to have lower prices like canned good, coffee and milk.
“The decrease in prices has something to do with promotional activities and not permanent decrease which cost will return to their original or regular price after the promotion.
He added that there is a notable increase in the prices of construction materials and supplies, which show a regular weekly upward movement of about PHP1 to PHP20 per item.
Altiyen, however, assured the public that there is an ample supply of products and there is no hoarding being done by the establishments.
“We have all gone to groceries and supermarkets and we do not see empty shelves and depleted stocks which can also mean there is no hoarding of goods,” he added.
He relayed that establishments also reported a low traffic among buyers which could have been brought about by the crisis and the public avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Altiyen said local price coordinating councils in the city and the municipalities have intensified price monitoring of basic commodities.
He said while stores in villages are not monitored, owners have been urged not to take advantage of the current situation.
“We understand that they also buy their stocks from the supermarkets, but we call on them to limit their mark-up to reasonable amounts,” he added. **Liza Agoot