BACOLOD City – A 60-day price freeze in basic commodities in Negros Occidental has been ordered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
This comes after the declaration of a state of calamity in the province due to the eruption of Mount Kanlaon on December 9.
On Tuesday, December 17, the DTI-Negros Occidental said the price freeze is expected to end on February 11, 2025. Consumers and retailers were informed that prices of basic necessities “shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices and placed under automatic price control for a period of 60 days unless sooner lifted.”
Products under basic necessities include canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, and locally manufactured instant noodles.
“DTI will monitor regularly the supply and price situation of basic necessities and the compliance of the stores with the price freeze,” it added.
Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, provides that “prices of basic goods in an area placed under a state of calamity shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices prior to the occurrence of the calamity.”
Price control of basic goods shall remain for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not for more than 60 days unless sooner lifted by the mayor,” the DTI-Negros Occidental added.
Violators of the price freeze will face the penalty of imprisonment for not less than one year or more than 10 years or a fine of not less than P5,000 or more than P1 million or both, at the discretion of the court.
As of 11 a.m. on December 17, a total of 4,629 families or 15,512 individuals residing within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mount Kanlaon have been evacuated, achieving a 99.17 percent evacuation rate.
PAGASA warns of flooding, lahar from Kanlaon
Meanwhile, while Tropical Depression Querubin Was expected to weaken into a remnant low within 24 hours,t it could still pose risks of flooding and lahar flows from the volcano, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Wednesday, December 18.
“The remnant low is expected to be very near Mt. Kanlaon by Friday, so those living near the volcano should take extra precautions against possible flooding and lahar,” Veronica Torres, weather specialist of the PAGASA, said.
The weather bureau advised residents near Kanlaon to remain vigilant.
Querubin’s remnants were expected to continue bringing rains over much of Visayas and Mindanao, including the Sulu Sea and Palawan, which are part of its forecast track./PN
