ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded local retailers in the city and province against raising prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, citing the Automatic Price Control (APC) that followed the recent declaration of a state of calamity triggered by a dengue outbreak.
Ma. Dorita Chavez, trade industry development specialist at DTI-Iloilo, said price increases are prohibited while the APC remains in effect.
According to the ongoing monitoring by DTI-Iloilo, prices have indeed remained stable within the suggested retail price (SRP) guidelines.
DTI’s surveillance includes essential items such as bread, canned fish, other marine products, potable water, processed milk, instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent, and candles.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) monitors prices for items such as rice, corn, root crops, fresh and dried fish, eggs, fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, sugar, and cooking oil.
The implementation of the APC is grounded in Section 6 of the Republic Act 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act, as amended.
This section stipulates that prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen or placed under price control during calamities, disasters, emergencies, rebellion, war, martial law, or when habeas corpus is suspended, effective for up to 60 days unless lifted sooner by the President.
The province of Iloilo declared a state of calamity on August 20, followed by Iloilo City on August 28.
Chavez also mentioned that a recent meeting with manufacturers of basic necessities across the country concluded without any plans to raise prices.
“In fact, there has been a price freeze,” she added.
According to the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) Region 6, the regional headline inflation was 4.8 percent in August 2024, steady from July. The average inflation rate from January to August 2024 stood at 3.8 percent, a reduction from 6.1 percent in August 2023.
Nationally, the inflation rate for August 2024 was at 3.3 percent, a decrease from July’s 4.4 percent, with a year-to-date average of 3.6 percent.
PSA-6 noted that higher inflation rates in the region were observed in several categories, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco, housing, and utilities, among others.
In contrast, lower inflation was recorded in food, transport, and educational services./PN
