Price freeze on medicines imposed in areas hit by Carina, Habagat

The Department of Health (DOH) released on Friday a list of medicines covered by the price freeze in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Carina and Southwest Monsoon. 

According to the DOH, the price freeze would take effect in Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Cainta in Rizal, and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro. 

Consumers are advised to report overpricing or any violation through the DOH hotlines: (632) 8651-7800 local 5003-5004; (632) 165-364; or through their email address: pddrugpricemonitoring@gmail.com. 

Complaints may also be filed through the Department of Trade and Industry Hotline: 1-384 or email address: consumer@dti.gov.ph.

Here is the complete list of the medicines:

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said 14 people were reported dead in Luzon and Mindanao due to the Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Butchoy and Carina.

Eight people were confirmed dead including four in Zamboanga and one each in Northern Mindanao, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC has been validating the reports on five fatalities in Calabarzon and one in Bangsamoro.

A state of calamity was declared in Cavite; Pinamalayan and Baco in Oriental Mindoro; San Andres in Romblon; Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; Kabacan and Pikit in Cotabato.

Also, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on Thursday said Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas declared a state of calamity.

Earlier, Metro Manila was placed under a state of calamity. The Department of Trade and Industry announced a price freeze on essential goods "to protect consumers from unjust price increases during this time of crisis," 

Assistance worth P61,338,767 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.—AOL, GMA Integrated News