ANTIQUE – Following the provincial government’s declaration of a state of calamity on July 25, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Antique has implemented an automatic price freeze on basic commodities throughout the province.
Mary Jade R. Gonzales, officer-in-charge Provincial Director of DTI Antique, confirmed that the price freeze took effect immediately after the resolution was passed. The agency is also preparing for the rollout of the Automatic Price Ceiling (APC) in coordination with local government units (LGUs).
“Once a state of calamity is declared, the price freeze is automatically enforced. We have also begun preparing the APC,” Gonzales said in an interview.
DTI Region VI likewise announced that a price freeze on basic necessities is in effect in three LGUs in the province—Sebaste (July 21 to September 19), Barbaza (July 22 to September 20), and Culasi (July 23 to September 21)—in line with the individual calamity declarations made by these municipalities.
Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing levels for 60 days once a locality is declared under a state of calamity. This measure is designed to protect consumers from undue price increases during times of emergency
Under the current price freeze, essential goods such as canned sardines, processed milk (including condensed, evaporated, and powdered variants), coffee, bread, instant noodles, detergent, laundry soap, bottled water, candles, and salt are now protected from price hikes.
“These basic necessities are covered under the price control. Any increase in their prices is considered a violation,” she emphasized.
The price freeze will remain in effect for 60 days, in accordance with existing regulations, unless lifted earlier or extended by authorities.
As of this writing, only two of the three municipalities issued with APCs — Culasi and Sebaste — have signed the document. Gonzales explained that the delay in Barbaza’s signing was due to the mayor’s temporary absence.
Moreover, the DTI officials are closely coordinating with the remaining 15 LGUs. Once their APCs are ready, DTI will issue them immediately. But the automatic price freeze is already in full effect across Antique.
DTI Antique urged residents to report any businesses found violating the price freeze. Complaints can be submitted through the agency’s official Facebook page or at the nearest Negosyo Center in their municipality.
“If anyone notices establishments charging above the posted ceiling prices, we encourage them to report it directly to us online or in person,” Gonzales added.
The state of calamity was declared due to the adverse effects of recent weather disturbances in the province. The DTI’s move aims to protect consumers from unfair pricing practices during this critical period./PN
