Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson appealed to businessmen on Monday, December 27, not to take advantage of the situation by raising prices of commodities needed in typhoon-hit areas to make more money.
Lacson said the Department of Trade and Industry price freeze apparently only covers grocery items.
Building materials and generators are not covered by the price freeze, he said.
Lacson said he is consulting with the Provincial Legal Office to determine if he can issue another executive order specifying more items to be included in the price freeze.
There are also reports of an increase in the prices of chickens and pork in southern Negros.
Lacson said this may be because of the widespread typhoon damage to the poultry and piggery businesses.*