DTI: Price Freeze in effect, in areas under a state of calamity

Following the incessant rains that heavily affected several areas in the country, the Department of Trade and Industry reminds business establishments to comply with the price freeze.

 

Under Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, as amended by RA 10623, prices of basic necessities (BN) are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for sixty (60) days once a state of calamity (SOC) is declared in an area.

 

The effects of the northeast monsoon, shear line, and low-pressure area prompted the declaration of SOC in the provinces, municipalities, and barangays listed below:

 

Region	Province/City/Municipality/Barangay
IV-B	Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Province of Palawan              Municipality of Sofronio Española, Province of Palawan
VIII	6 Barangays (Impo, Santol, Bahay, Caraycaray, San Andres, and Capilihan) in Municipality of San Miguel, Province of Leyte Municipality of Gandara, Province of Samar Municipality of Basey, Province of Samar Municipality of San Jorge, Province of Samar Municipality of Santa Fe, Province of Leyte City of Calbayog, Province of Samar Whole Province of Eastern Samar Whole Province of Northern Samar City of Dapitan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte
IX	City of Dapitan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte Municipality of Polanco, Province of Zamboanga del Norte Municipality of Sibuco, Province of Zamboanga del Norte Municipality of Aurora, Province of Zamboanga del Sur 16 barangays (Sagrada Familia, Kapalaran, Balugo, San Vicente, Angeles, Lower Tiparak, Sumalig, New Village, Balucot, Lower Usogan, San Jose, Gabunon, Upper Tiparak, Alang-Alang, Tungawan, and Happy Valley) in the Municipality of Tambulig, Province of Zamboanga del Sur Municipality of Sirawai, Province of Zamboanga del Norte
X	City of Gingoog, Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Medina, Misamis Oriental Municipality of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental Whole Province of Misamis Occidental Municipality of Tubod, Province of Lanao del Norte
XI	Municipality of Asuncion (Saug), Province of Davao del Norte City of Tagum, Province of Davao del Norte
CARAGA	Municipality of San Miguel, Province of Surigao del Sur Municipality of Claver, Province of Surigao del Norte

 

The price freeze shall be automatically terminated after 60 days unless sooner lifted by the President. To ensure the stability of prices and availability of supply, the DTI monitors products under its jurisdiction such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt. The DTI posts and publishes the lists of prevailing prices of these products in the areas declared under a state of calamity in the DTI website (www.dti.gov.ph).

 

“Aside from basic necessities, our regional and provincial offices’ monitoring teams also check for the price and supply of other commodities. We urge manufacturers to ensure adequate supply in these areas,” says DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary, Atty. Ruth B. Castelo.

 

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is in charge of monitoring the price and supply of rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried, and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh fruits. On the other hand, the Department of Health (DOH) keeps watch on the price and supply of drugs classified as essential.

 

According to the Price Act, business establishments found to have violated the price freeze will face a penalty of imprisonment for a period of one (1) year to ten (10) years, or a fine ranging from PHP5,000.00 to PHP1,000,000.00, or both, at the discretion of the court. Consumers are enjoined to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their prevailing prices via One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or email, ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.