Prices of basic goods frozen in calamity areas

HORSING AROUND AFTER STORM Children play and sit on fallen coconut trees along the highway in Sulat town, Eastern Samar province, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Ruby.” RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines—Prices of basic goods have been put in a freeze in six provinces and a Visayan municipality that have been declared under a state of calamity after being battered by Tropical Storm “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit).

The freeze has been declared in Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Catanduanes, Pilar in Capiz, Leyte and Samar, a report from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed.

Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said that areas placed under a state of calamity are automatically subject to a price freeze as provided by Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7581.

The freeze covers basic necessities, including bread; canned fish and other marine products; potable water in bottles and containers; processed milk; locally manufactured instant noodles; coffee; salt; laundry soap; detergent; and candies.

Prices ‘reasonable’

As of 3 p.m. on Monday, prices of goods in Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte remained “reasonable” but supply was reportedly limited.

The situation in Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Northern Samar remained stable.

Metro stable

“Suppliers and distributors have been identified for the conduct of Diskwento Caravan. Many mayors have convened [the local price coordinating councils] to intensify price monitoring after the typhoon and [have] closely coordinated with the DTI monitoring teams to penalize violators of the Price Act,” the DTI report said.

In Metro Manila, where Ruby was expected to be felt Monday night, the price and supply situation was also reportedly normal.

Apart from continued monitoring, the DTI said it had sent an advisory to all manufacturers and distributors in the affected areas to guarantee constant replenishment of goods to ensure adequate supply.

A Diskwento Caravan, which will offer basic goods at discounted prices, will also be deployed to typhoon-affected areas, according to the DTI.