PRICE FREEZE. A member of the Department of Trade and Industry monitoring team checks the prices of basic commodities in Ilocos Norte province in this undated photo. The price freeze, put in place following a rabies outbreak in the province, will end on July 31, 2023. (DTI Ilocos Norte)
LAOAG CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday said it has begun checking if business establishments were adhering to the price freeze on basic goods imposed after the province was placed under a state of local health emergency due to increasing rabies cases.
DTI provincial director Amelia Galvez on Thursday said a monitoring team from their Consumer Protection Division has been making rounds in the province reminding owners of supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure the availability of supply and stability of prices.
“Pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, prices in the area under a state of emergency shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days unless sooner lifted,” said Galvez in an interview.
Commodities under DTI’s jurisdiction include canned sardines, processed milk, coffee refill, laundry bar, candles, bread (Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal), salt, bottled water and water in containers, and other locally manufactured instant noodles.
Apart from the DTI, other implementing agencies of the Price Act are also ensuring the price stability and availability of supply for the products under their jurisdiction.
The Department of Agriculture, for instance, is in charge of 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 while the Department of Health takes care of drugs classified as essential.
According to the Price Act, business establishments found to have violated the price freeze will face a penalty of imprisonment for a period of one year to 10 years, or a fine ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP1 million or both, at the discretion of the court.
The price freeze in the province will end on July 31, 2023.
Consumers were urged to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic goods above their prevailing prices via One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or e-mail, ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.
Record from the Provincial Veterinary Office showed that rabies cases have been detected in at least 53 barangays, mostly in the towns of Batac and Paoay.
In 2022, the province, which reported one rabies case, have five deaths in the first five months of 2023, prompting the provincial board to declare an emergency health situation to arrest its spread to other communities. (PNA)
