Following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s northern areas, prompting the sangguniang panlalawigan of Abra to declare the province under a state of calamity, thethe Department of Trade and Industry is reminding business establishments to adhere to the price freeze.
Under Republic Act 7581 as amended by RA 10623 or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days once a state of calamity is declared in an area.
The DTI monitors basic necessities under its purview such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.
Other implementing agencies under the Price Act ensure price stability and availability of supply for the products under their jurisdiction. The Department of Agriculture is in charge 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 while the Department of Health takes care of drugs classified as essential.
“In these trying times, we again appeal to the private sector for assistance in ensuring that our fellow citizens have access to these basic goods, particularly in the most severely affected areas. We assure consumers that DTI monitors in these provinces will keep an eye on the prices and supply of basic necessities,” said DTI Usec. for Consumer Protection Group, Atty. Ruth B. Castelo.
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 year to 10 years or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1,000,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.
The basic necessities in the markets of Abra are frozen at their prevailing prices starting July 28 and will end on Sept. 25.
The public can view the list of basic goods at their prevailing prices on Abra Provinces’s Facebook page and the DTI website by clicking on the Price Freeze Tab.
Aside from Abra, prices of basic necessities in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao shall also remain at their prevailing prices for 60 days beginning July18 until Sept. 15 due to massive flooding caused by the overflowing of the Maridagao and Kabacan Rivers.
A state of calamity was also declared in the entire province of Antique on July 14 due to a dengue outbreak, which automatically put prices of basic necessities at their prevailing levels until Sept. 11.
The price freeze shall be automatically lifted on their end date unless sooner lifted by the President. 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, [email protected]. – Press release
