CEBU CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas (DTI-7) has issued a price freeze on all basic necessities in the City of Naga, which is now under a state of calamity following the massive landslide that hit Barangay Tinaan on Sept. 20.
During the launch of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration at the DTI-7 office Monday here, Trade Regional Director Asteria Caberte said the price freeze order takes effect on Oct. 1.
Among the products covered in the price freeze are canned sardines in tomato sauce, processed milk, coffee, detergent or laundry soap, instant noodles, and bottled water.
Caberte said the order is based on Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) 7581 as amended by RA 10623, otherwise known as the Price Act, which states that prices of basic necessities in an area proclaimed or declared under a state of calamity or emergency shall be automatically frozen, or shall be placed under automatic price control.
Unless sooner lifted by the City of Naga, the price control shall remain in effect for the duration of the state of calamity, but not for more than 60 days.
The DTI-7 has deployed more than 20 personnel to Naga to monitor the prices of basic necessities in the market and check whether retailers are following the order.
Caberte strongly advised retailers in Naga to comply with the order.
Retailers found violating the price freeze order could be fined up to PHP1 million, or face imprisonment for a maximum of one year, she said.
The Price Act provides protection to consumers by stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and disaster occurrences.
Last Sept. 20, the City of Naga was placed under a state of calamity following an early morning landslide that affected 80.12-hectare area and killed 78 people, as of 12 noon Monday. ( Luel Galarpe/PNA)
