The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday announced a price freeze for a total of 148 medicines in areas under a state of calamity.

Consumers are encouraged to report cases of overpricing to the DOH Hotline (02) 8651-7800, and the DTI Hotline (1384).

As of Thursday, 40 areas had declared a state of calamity due to the effects of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, as well as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat.

Under the Price Act, a 60-day automatic price freeze is implemented when a state of calamity is declared, covering goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, root crops, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal, candles, and certain medicines classified as essential by the DOH.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa visited the Tondo Medical Hospital in Manila and assured that all government hospitals remain functional and are on Code White Alert, meaning emergency teams are on standby.

He emphasized the importance of power supply, noting that without electricity, hospitals cannot conduct X-rays, ultrasounds, or lab tests.