DTI imposes 60-day price freeze on essential goods in Luzon

NO PRICE INCREASE Canned fish, which occupy these supermarket shelves, along with locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, soap and salt, are the basic necessities whose prices the Department of Trade and Industry says cannot be raised in Luzon for two months after the country’s main island was placed under a state of calamity on Nov. 18. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday imposed a 60-day price freeze on essential goods in Luzon after the government declared a state of calamity following consecutive typhoons, which caused massive flooding and devastation in many parts of the country’s main island.

The basic necessities include canned fish and other marine products, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent and salt.

In a statement, the DTI said basic necessities were automatically under price control whenever a state of calamity is declared in a certain province or locality.

Until lifted by Duterte

On Nov. 18, Malacañang declared a state of calamity in the “Luzon island group” through Proclamation No. 1051 after many provinces were battered by torrential rain and fierce winds from Typhoon “Quinta” (international name: Molave), Typhoon “Rolly” (Goni), and Typhoon “Ulysses” (Vamco).

The declaration will remain in effect “until lifted by the President.”

“Even before the issuance of Proclamation No. 1051, other provinces have declared a SOC [state of calamity] due to the gravity and extent of damage caused by the previous typhoons,” said Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, head of the DTI consumer protection group.

The price freeze applies to all supermarkets, grocery stores and wet markets in the provinces, cities and municipalities in the various regions of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Exception

The price freeze, however, does not apply to “sari-sari” stores, Castelo said.

“The convenience, the distance and accessibility have a premium and so will be understandably priced higher,” she said.

Castelo reminded business establishments that violating the price freeze carried a penalty of imprisonment of one to 10 years, or a P5,000 to P1 million fine, or both imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

Consumers are encouraged to report retailers, distributors and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their prevailing prices via One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or email [email protected].