The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Sunday it imposed a price freeze on basic necessities in Puerto Princesa City, Narra, Brooke’s Point and Aborlan in Palawan, following the declaration of a state of calamity in these areas due to the prolonged effects of a shear line.
Effective for 60 days, the price freeze locks the prices of basic goods at their current levels, as mandated by Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) 7581, or the Price Act, as amended.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the price freeze aimed to protect consumers from profiteering.
“The DTI is actively monitoring prices to ensure that essential goods remain affordable and accessible to all affected communities. Any attempt at price manipulation or profiteering will be met with swift and decisive action,” she said.
“This commitment is part of the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ agenda—ensuring the welfare of every Filipino, no matter the circumstances,” she said.
The basic necessities covered by the DTI include canned fish, all forms of processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, candles, budget breads, iodized salt, instant noodles and bottled water.
Retail establishments found violating the regulation face sanctions that may include imprisonment for one to ten years, or fines ranging from P5,000 to P1 million.
To ensure compliance, the DTI’s Palawan provincial monitoring and enforcement team is intensifying efforts to monitor prices and availability of essential goods in the region.