The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in the Laging Handa briefing on Friday (Dec.17) that there is a possibility to implement price freeze in all basic needs and necessities in areas affected by Typhoon Odette once their local government units (LGUs) declare a state of emergency.
In the briefing, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez said that their office is closely monitoring the situation in areas affected by the typhoon.
According to the reports given by the DTI regional offices, the supply of basic needs and prime commodities is still enough.
Lopez also said that blockage of roads, bridges, and other passageways are the factors to consider in implementing price freeze as it affects the supply chain of basic needs and necessities.
“‘Yan po ang kailangang masubaybayan pa natin dahil ongoing po yung bagyo but as of today, since yesterday pa po, nagsa-submit ang DTI Regional offices [ng report] at sinasabi po doon na ang supply ay hindi pa naman naapektuhan [ng bagyo],” Sec. Lopez said.
“Ang kailangang bantayan diyan after ng bagyo ay kung may na-damage na passages o kung ang supply chain ay hindi makaabot doon sa mga groceries o specific na lugar. ‘Yan ang kailangang maiwasan kaagad para hindi magkaroon ng kakulangan ng supply,” he added.
The trade secretary said that the price freeze will automatically be implemented when a local government unit (LGU) declared a state of calamity.
“Kapag po nag-declare ng state of calamity ang respective LGUs, automatic po ang pagpapatupad natin ng price freeze. Abangan natin ngayon kasi ngayon pa lang lalagpas ang bagyo, ngayon natin makikita kung ano ang pinsala [na naidulot] ng bagyo sa mga daan at tulay,” Sec. Lopez said.
Under the Price Act or Republic Act No. 7581, a price freeze is automatically imposed on the price of basic necessities when there is a declaration of a state of calamity, emergency, or similar situation in an area of the country.
The Price Act aims to protect consumers from illegal price manipulation such as hoarding, profiteering and cartel and to regulate the supply of commodities to meet the public’s demand. -Report from Karen Villanda/ CC-rir
