The Department of Trade and Industry has implemented a 60-day price freeze for essential commodities in response to the declaration of a State of Calamity in Negros Oriental due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The Department of Trade and Industry said the price freeze will remain in force until June 25, 2024 unless sooner lifted.
Under Republic Act 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the DTI is mandated to impose a price freeze on basic commodities to prevent price skyrocketing and hoarding.
Some of the essential commodities covered by the price freeze under the DTI’s jurisdiction are canned goods, coffee, noodles, candles, flour, sugar, bottled water, condensed milk, evaporated milk, laundry soap, and detergent.
A complete list of commodities covered by the price freeze is printed below.
The DTI, in a statement, is encouraging consumers to report retailers that sell basic necessities at prices beyond the DTI ceiling to the DTI-Negros Oriental Provincial Office at (035) 422-5509 or 0917-300-5811 or by e-mail at r07.negrosoriental@dti.gov.ph.
The Price Act provides that any retailers found selling more than the listed prevailing prices shall be imposed with an administrative fine of up to P1,000,000.00 and/or a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson Krystle Jade Bato said areas such as Dumaguete City and those identified as “growth centers” have higher prices of basic commodities than the smaller areas, although they remain within the allowed price range, she noted.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared the province in a state of calamity on April 26 due to the El Niño-induced drought, which has caused extreme damages and losses to crops and assets. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
