The prices of basic necessities in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City were automatically frozen on Thursday, July 24, following the declaration of a state of calamity in the province, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Lynna Joy Cardinal said on Monday.
“DTI will be monitoring regularly the price and supply situation of basic necessities and the compliance of the stores on the price freeze. The 60-day price freeze is expected to end on September 22,” a DTI Negros Occidental advisory said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson appealed to store owners not to take advantage of the situation during a calamity and perhaps even give discounts.
“Just keep your prices at the present level,“ he said.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued Resolution No. 0771 on Thursday declaring the entire province of Negros Occidental under a state of calamity due to Tropical Storm “Crising” and the Red-striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) outbreak.
The DTI Negros Occidental advisory said Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act states that prices of basic goods in an area placed under a state of calamity shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices prior to the occurrence of the calamity.
Those who violate the price freeze shall face the penalty of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P₱1 million at the discretion of the court, the advisory said.
She said the monitoring of prices of agricultural products falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture.
The DTI is mandated to conduct price monitoring of basic necessities such as canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, and locally manufactured instant noodles, she said.
Products covered by the Department of Agriculture are rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried, and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, and fresh fruits, the DTI advisory said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources monitors the prices of firewood and charcoal, while the Department of Health covers drugs classified as essential.
The Department of Energy is tasked with monitoring the prices of household liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene, the DTI advisory added.*