Price freeze up in 3 Negros localities

Inquirer files

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — A price freeze on basic commodities is in place in three local governments in Negros Occidental that have declared states of calamity because of the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

The price freeze in Kabankalan City and the towns of San Enrique and Valladolid would last for 60 days from the time their respective local governments declared a state of calamity, said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal.

READ: DA wary of nationwide price freeze amid El Niño

The price freeze in San Enrique would be in effect from April 8 to June 7; Kabankalan City, from April 18 to June 17; and Valladolid, from May 1 to June 30. Daily price monitoring would be conducted in these areas.

No prize freeze was imposed in San Carlos City even if it declared a state of calamity as the city government has not submitted a copy of its declaration to the DTI, Cardinal said.

READ: DTI orders price freeze in two Oriental Mindoro towns

The damage to crops, animals and fisheries in Negros Occidental due to the drought had hit P518.8 million, according to a report sent last week to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson by Acting Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola.

Provincial veterinarian Placeda Lemana also reported that the drought had caused the deaths of 14,598 farm animals worth P13,784,650 and affected 1,139 raisers as of May 10.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration, meanwhile, said the damage to sugar and molasses production in Negros Occidental had climbed to P200,178,856.