By Franco Regala  ANGELES CITY — A resolution has been passed by the city council here, declaring a state of calamity to ensure its readiness against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite the absence of any confirmed report of the dreaded viral disease in the city. Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr said that the declaration of a state of calamity under Resolution 8592 was unanimously passed by the city council headed by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, through a special session on March 17. “Sa ngayon po wala po tayo dapat ikabahala. Huwag po tayong mag-panic. Wala pong coronavirus dito sa Angeles. But the safety of our constituents is our topmost priority. We will closely monitor to assure that the City is guarded against the virus,” the mayor said. “Ang pagdedeklara po nating ito ay makakatulong sa ating mga preparasyon na gagawin sa pagtiyak ng proteksyon ng bawat isa nating kababayan. Sa pamamagitan po nito, malalabanan natin ang COVID 19,” he added. Under a state of calamity, the Office of the Mayor is authorized to use the City’s Calamity and Quick Respond Fund for alternative procurement modalities in emergencies, such as negotiated procurement and shopping under Republic Act 9184, also known as Government Procurement Reform Act. With COvID-19 outbreak in our midst, the city government said that the needed “medical supplies, medical equipment, medicines, sanitation supplies, sanitation equipment, testing kits, personal protective equipment, ambulance or other emergency response vehicles, additional public transportation services are secured and distributed to augment existing public transportation services and other services of the government. The same resolution also states that the imposition and enforcement kg price ceiling will be strictly implemented in the city. “The Angeles City Price Council shall ensure that all retail establishments within the City are complying with the price ceiling issued by the National Price Coordinating Council,” he stressed. To prevent profiteering and hoarding, the Local Price Coordination Council will issue a list of commodities to ensure no hoarding of price manipulation is being made. The mayor said that he already issued an order to all business establishments not to hoard products or overprice in view of the public health emergency. He assured to file legal actions to those who will violate the directive, in accordance with Memorandum No. 175, Series of 2020. In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently warned establishments from profiteering and issued Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for products. Lazatin said that he will establish a special hotline to receive complaints on profiteering, hoarding, and other acts prohibited under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act. Upon also the directive of Mayor Lazatin, the Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) will regularly and continuously inspect all establishments here to ensure all is in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the government. Suspension of business permits is one of the penalties that an owner may face should they violate the rules set by the city government. “Goods sold in violation of this provision shall be seized immediately and distributed for the use of Angeles City COVID-19 Task Force to respond to this emergency,” he said.