Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual ordered Friday, June 6, a price freeze on basic goods in Albay following the declaration of a state of calamity in the province due to the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano.
"Through DTI's provincial office in Albay, I have ordered a price freeze for basic goods today. Business establishments are directed to comply to this, otherwise, we will impose necessary penalties. We want to ensure that our affected kababayans in Albay will have access to affordable and reasonably-priced basic goods especially during disasters like this," Pascual said.
Under the Price Act (RA7581), as amended by RA 10623, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for sixty (60) days from declaration unless sooner lifted by the President.
“Upon the issuance of the Provincial Resolution No.0607-2023, we already issued a Memorandum Circular reminding all wet markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, hardwares and water refilling stations to comply with the Price Freeze on basic necessities,” DTI-Albay Officer-in-Charge Noel P. Bunao said.
The DTI provincial monitoring teams are continuously monitoring the prices and availability of basic goods such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt in supermarkets, groceries, and wet markets.
"We have enough supply of basic goods in the affected areas and we are in constant coordination with the manufacturers of basic necessities to ensure adequacy of supply in Albay. We encourage the public to report to the DTI those who are selling basic goods beyond the prevailing price,” said DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary, Atty. Ruth B. Castelo.
Meanwhile, 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].