DTI reminds retailers of 60-day price freeze in calamity areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Sunday reminded retailers of the price freeze imposed in areas under a state of calamity following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Under the Price Act, automatic ang prize freeze upon the declaration of a state of calamity. Lahat po ng basic necessities ng lahat ng implementing agencies ng Price Act, kasama po,” DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castello said in a press briefing in Cagayan.

The province of Cagayan was earlier placed under a state of calamity because of massive flooding due to Ulysses.

According to Castello, retailers are not allowed to increase prices of essential medicine, manufactured food products as well as agriculture products, among others.

“Pwedeng ibaba ng retailers pero hindi po pwedeng umakyat yung presyo na mas mataas doon sa current market price niya or suggested retail price kung meron,” the DTI official said.

The price freeze will be effective for 60 days upon the declaration of the state of calamity, Castello added.

Ulysses, the 21st cyclone to hit the country this year, triggered massive flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

It likewise caused flooding in the Cagayan Valley, particularly in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.

The death toll of the typhoon has so far reached 67, according to authorities.

The typhoon struck areas in Luzon which had barely recovered from the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni), which killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of residences.

JE