DTI imposes 60-day price freeze in Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in Negros Occidental, which has been placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of tropical cyclone ‘’Crising’’ and the outbreak of the red-striped soft scale insect in sugarcane farms.
“Prices of basic necessities shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control for a period of 60 days unless sooner lifted,” the DTI-Negros Occidental said in an advisory on Monday.
The price freeze will end on Sept. 22.
“DTI will be monitoring regularly the price and supply situation of basic necessities and the compliance of the stores with the price freeze,” the advisory added.
The Provincial Board, led by Vice Gov. Jose Benito Alonso, passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity in Negros Occidental on July 24, which was approved by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on the same day.
Republic Act (RA) 7581, or the Price Act, provides that “prices of basic goods in an area placed under a state of calamity shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices prior to the occurrence of the calamity.”
“Unless sooner lifted by the Governor, price control of basic necessities shall remain for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not for more than 60 days,” the DTI said.
Basic necessities are goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence in times of any of the cases provided under Section 6 or 7 of RA 10623, which amended certain provisions of RA 7581, or the Price Act.
The DTI is mandated to conduct price monitoring of basic necessities such as canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, and locally manufactured instant noodles.
Products covered by the Department of Agriculture are 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.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources monitors the prices of firewood and charcoal, while the Department of Health covers drugs classified as essential.
Prices of household Liquefied Petroleum Gas and kerosene are covered by the Department of Energy. (PNA)