DTI orders price freeze on basic necessities in Albay amid Mayon's unrest

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has imposed a price freeze on basic goods in Albay as the province was placed under a state of calamity due to Mayon Volcano's unrest.

In a statement on Friday, the DTI said the price freeze order was issued by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

"Through DTI's provincial office in Albay, I have ordered a price freeze for basic goods today. Business establishments are directed to comply to this, otherwise, we will impose necessary penalties. We want to ensure that our affected kababayan in Albay will have access to affordable and reasonably-priced basic goods especially during disasters like this," said Pascual.

Albay was placed under a state of calamity last week after PHIVOLCS raised the status of Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3. 

Under the Price Act or Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by RA 10623 or Consumer Protection Law, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days from declaration unless sooner lifted by the President. 

The DTI defines basic necessities as goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence.

These 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 instant noodles, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap and detergents, and firewood.

“Upon the issuance of the Provincial Resolution No.0607-2023, we already issued a Memorandum Circular reminding all wet markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, hardwares and water refilling stations to comply with the Price Freeze on basic necessities,” said DTI-Albay officer-in-charge Noel Bunao.

The DTI said its provincial monitoring teams are continuously monitoring the prices and availability of basic goods such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt in supermarkets, groceries, and wet markets. 

"We have enough supply of basic goods in the affected areas and we are in constant coordination with the manufacturers of basic necessities to ensure adequacy of supply in Albay. We encourage the public to report to the DTI those who are selling basic goods beyond the prevailing price,” said DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo. —Ted Cordero/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News