CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – With the declaration of a state of calamity throughout the country in the wake of the African swine fever, the Department of Trade and Industry reminded sellers and business establishments on the automatic imposition of a price freeze on basic necessities.
Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act mandates an automatic price control of basic necessities effective upon the declaration of a state of calamity or a similar situation.
President Duterte signed Presidential Proclamation 1143 on May 10, 2021 declaring a nationwide state of calamity due to the spread of the African swine fever in 2,571 barangays throughout the country and the reduction of the supply of pork in markets. The situation has adversely affected the local hog industry and the supply and prices of pork in the local market.
With the imposition of the price freeze, the DTI and its price monitoring team are set to closely monitor establishments to check if the prevailing prices of basic necessities are maintained.
Under RA 7581, as amended by RA 10623, basic necessities include rice, corn, root crops, bread, fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat; fresh eggs; potable water in bottles and containers; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables and fruits; locally manufactured noodles; coffee, sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and detergents; firewood; charcoal; household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene; candles; drugs classified by the Department of Health and such other goods as may be included by the law.
Sellers are also reminded that the Price Act imposes penalties and punishments for violation of the law. Illegal price manipulation acts such as profiteering, cartel and hoarding carry penalties ranging from P5,000 to P2 million and imprisonment ranging from five years to 15 years.
The penalties are still aside from administrative sanctions that may be imposed by the regulating agencies.
Meanwhile the Regional Development Council III, in its Resolution No. 03-32-2021, pushed for the price monitoring of basic needs and prime commodities in the region by the activation and reactivation of the Local Price Coordinating Councils, which include members from local government units and national government agencies.
DTI-3 OIC regional director Leonila T. Baluyut said that the price monitoring teams are already conducting random checks of local markets and establishments for their compliance to the Price Act. She noted that the public may report violators using the DTI Hotline 1-384 or send a message to consumercare@dti.gov.ph. – PR/DTI-3
