Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police commanders in devastated by typhoon "Odette" to help the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in enforcing the price freeze of basic goods.
At the same time, Carlos warned local businessmen against taking advantage of the situation to make more profit by jacking up the prices of basic and essential commodities in areas declared under “state of calamity”.
"The PNP supports the Department of Trade and Industry in imposing an automatic ‘price freeze’ on goods in areas declared under state of calamity," said Carlos.
Based on the reports coming from PNP commanders, the local government units of Camarines Norte, Cebu, Bohol and Negros Occidental have already declared a state of calamity.
Sections 6 and 7 of Republic Act 7581 or The Price Act, states that Prices of basic necessities in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control whenever that area is proclaimed or declared a disaster area or under a state of calamity; and a price ceiling may be imposed on any basic necessity or prime commodity considering the impendency, existence, or effects of a calamity.
"Aside from post-disaster relief and rehabilitation operations and disaster management measures being carried out by the PNP, police units in the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels were given added duties to monitor prices of goods in their respective areas to ensure proper implementation of this law," said Carlos.
Basic commodities collectively refer to rice; corn; bread; fresh dried and canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; root crops; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health.
Violation of RA 7581 imposing a penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 but bot more than P1 million.