Bacolod City – Following the declaration of the State of Calamity in the province of Negros Occidental last July 25, the Department of Trade and Industry-Negros Occidental is currently conducting daily price monitoring across the province, including Bacolod City, Head of DTI-Negros Occidental Lina Joy Cardinal said.
DTI is responsible for monitoring the prices for basic commodities like canned goods, water bottles, candles, coffee, and as such, it will be frozen for 60 days from the day of the declaration in accordance with the law.
“We will guard the prices so that they will not increase compared to the last mass price, where they should be frozen,” Cardinal said.
In an interview, Cardinal clarifies that the jurisdiction of DTI in accordance with the implementation of the price freeze is limited only to manufactured items sold in supermarkets, stores, and wet markets.
The agriculture and fisheries products are under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, while forest products like lumber are under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Health is responsible for the price monitoring on drugs and cosmetics. However, the same process is being observed, based on Cardinal.
The DTI had handed out copies of frozen prices to the local supermarkets and stores to observe its responsible implementation.
On the other hand, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged local businesses to follow the frozen prices released by DTI and to not take advantage of the province’s present situation.
“If they [businesses] can give discounts, the better. Just keep your prices at the present level and do not take advantage of the situation,” Lacson called on basic commodities enterprises.
The Price Act in the Philippines, officially known as Republic Act No. 7581, is a law aimed at ensuring the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices, especially during times of calamity, just as what happened in the province. (Robert Caballero via tvds)