Automatic price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) took effect in areas declared under state of calamity following the onslaught of typhoon Paeng, the Department of Trade and Industry said. “The DTI is closely coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) on the declarations of State of Calamity. Automatic price freeze shall apply to basic necessities. Establishments found violating the price freeze may be subjected to administrative cases and fines,” DTI Secretary Fred Pascual, who said he is closely monitoring prices of BNPCs while attending the “Sustainable Investments Summit” in Brussels since Thursday, Oct. 28. According to Pascual, the DTI monitoring teams in the regions and provinces are checking the supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure availability of supply and stability of prices. “We also encourage consumers to be vigilant and report any violation or incident of overpricing or hoarding,” Pascual added. Unfortunately, Pascual has yet to join one of the DTI Price Monitoring teams in their regular price inspections in supermarkets and groceries. In a statement, the DTI said “There has not been an opportunity for actual visit” of the DTI secretary since his appointment as DTI chief in May this year. “But he (Pascual) wants to have it scheduled.” Meanwhile, DTI said Pascual is closely coordinating with DTI Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo and the DTI consumer protection group, reviewing reports, meeting with manufacturers on prices, and discussing with members of the Cabinet. “We will inform you po when he can join monitoring,” the DTI said. Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended, 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 DTI monitors BN products under its purview such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt. Meanwhile, other implementing agencies of the Price Act ensure price stability and availability of supply for the products under their jurisdiction. The Department of Agriculture (DA) 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, and fresh fruits while the Department of Health takes care 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 P5,000.00 to P1,000,000.00, or both, at the discretion of the court. The price freeze shall be automatically lifted on their end date unless sooner lifted by the President. Consumers are urged to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their prevailing prices via One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or email, [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).