FILE PHOTO

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Saturday implemented a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in Puerto Princesa City, Narra, Brooke’s Point, and Aborlan in Palawan.

Under the Price Act (RA 7581, as amended), such declarations automatically freeze the prices of essential goods at their prevailing rates for 60 days.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the measure follows the declaration of a state of calamity in these areas due to the severe impact of a persistent shear line.

Roque added that the price freeze is intended to protect consumers from profiteering.

DTI is actively monitoring prices to ensure that essential goods remain accessible to all affected communities.

The essential goods under the DTI’s jurisdiction and subject to the price freeze are:

Canned fish and other marine products

Processed milk (evaporated, condensed, and powdered)

Coffee

Laundry or detergent soap

Candles

Bread (tasty and pandesal)

Iodized salt

Instant noodles

Bottled water

The DTI warned that violating the price freeze could result in administrative penalties, including fines ranging from P5,000 to P1,000,000 and imprisonment of one to ten years.