Price Freeze in Pampanga and Bataan

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday said a freeze in the prices of basic and prime goods is now in effect in the entire Pampanga and Bataan which have been both placed under a state of calamity due to damages brought by the Tropical Storm Maring-enhanced Southwest monsoon.

DTI Regional Director Judith Angeles explained that “under a state of calamity, an automatic price control is implemented as contained in Section 6 of RA 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act as a preventive measure to avoid chaos that may result from overpricing of goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and salt during times of calamities,”

Hence, the prices of such in the mentioned areas excluding agricultural products should remain at levels prior to the calamity.

Angeles added “upon declaration of state calamity by the local government, a price control can be implemented for the duration of 60 days unless lifted sooner by either the local sanggunian or by the President of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Also, local governments and provincial DTI offices can adjust prices to reflect additional operational costs or the costs of bringing the products in the market.

However, this still needs the approval of either the National Price Coordinating Council or the President. The adjusted prices must be published in newspapers of national circulation.

Angeles warned businessmen of the penalty for profiteering in prize freeze areas – up to P1 million in fines and/or imprisonment of one to five years.

If the case is hoarding, violators can face up to P2 million in fines and/or imprisonment of five to fifteen years. (CLJD-PIA 3)