A price freeze is in effect on basic necessities in the province and city of Iloilo due to the state of calamity declaration.
The provincial government and the city government declared a state of calamity due the outbreak of dengue.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-6), the price freeze aims to protect consumers from unjust price increases in the affected communities.
“DTI conducts daily monitoring of retailers to ensure that prices of basic necessities adhere to the price freeze,” said Grace Benedicto, Consumer Protection Division chief at DTI-6.
The price freeze on basic necessities, which covers the province’s 42 towns and the component city of Passi, will last until October 19 this year.
Basic necessities include canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, laundry soap, bottled water, and candles.
DTI-6 urged consumers to report incidents of overpricing and violations of the price freeze to its regional office or its nearest provincial office.
Business establishments found violating the price freeze may face imprisonment for one to ten years, or a fine as determined by the court.
Under the Price Act, those business establishments found violating the price freeze may face imprisonment of up to ten years.IMT
