The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking at helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by Super Typhoon Odette.

DTI Assistant Secretary Ann Claire C. Cabochan said this as Typhoon Odette caused massive destruction not just on agriculture but also business establishments in some provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cabochan did not provide any details on what DTI is planning to help the typhoon-affected MSMEs. At present, DTI lends to MSMEs collateral free loans through SB Corp. under the CARES Program, but this is for COVID-affected enterprises. The fund for the CARES Program was also an allocation under the Bayanihan laws.

Cabochan acknowledged that MSMEs in the typhoon hit areas in Visayas and Mindanao have been down again. She noted that enterprises have already started to recover from the impact of the pandemic, until Typhoon Odette struck their areas.

At this time of calamity in certain areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, Cabochan said the focus of DTI is to ensure consumer protection and price stability.

Thus, DTI is coordinating with manufacturers of basic goods and prime commodities (BNPCs) so they can also ensure that retailers do not hike prices. DTI is also coordinating to ensure that the supply chain is intact to allow unhampered transport of goods.

Meantime, Cabochan reported that prices and supply of Noche Buena products have remained stable.

She, however, said that the suggested retail prices (SRP) on Noche Buena products apply only to those sold in major groceries and supermarkets.

Sari-Sari stores normally sell at higher prices, but Cabochan said consumers can file a complaint if a sari-sari store is selling Noche Buena products at already exorbitant rates.

She said that consumers have also a wide range of products to choose from because more than 110 SKUs of Noche Buena products did not hike prices. There are also 20 products that even decreased prices.