A price freeze on basic commodities is now in place in three Negros Occidental local government units that have declared states of calamity because of damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
The price freeze in San Enrique, Kabankalan City and Valladolid will be in place for 60 days from the time the state of calamity in the LGU was declared, Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal of the Department of Trade and Industry said.
The price freeze in San Enrique will be in effect from April 8 to June 7, Kabankalan City – April 18 to June 17, Valladolid – May 1 to June 30.
A prize freeze in San Carlos City that has also declared a state of calamity has not been imposed yet as the city government has not submitted a copy of its declaration to the DTI, Cardinal said.
The DTI is conducting daily monitoring of the prices of basic goods in the three LGUs where the freezes have been imposed, she said, adding that the prices in Negros have been stable.
Mayor Enrique Miravalles said his town government has provided farmers in Valladolid with food assistance and seeds.*