Bataan in calamity state; DTI orders prize freeze

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has implemented an automatic 60-day price freeze on basic commodities in Bataan province of following the declaration of a state of calamity by the provincial government.

DTI Bataan director Ei Ocampo said the price freeze based on the official declaration, meant to address the damage caused by typhoon Crising and the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The price moratorium covered basic goods under the DTI’s jurisdiction, including canned sardines, instant noodles, processed milk, coffee, loaf bread, bottled water, salt, laundry soaps, and candles.

Ocampo said retailers were required to strictly follow the mandated prices during the period of the state of calamity. Butch Gunio