ANTIQUE – The island municipality of Caluya imposed the Automatic Price Control (APC) for basic necessities.
The measure is in pursuant to the declaration of the municipality under a state of calamity due to the oil spill that reached the territorial area of the town caused by the sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The Sangguniang Bayan passed Resolution No. 031-2023 dated March 6, 2023, imposing price freeze for a period 60 days, after publication, under the provision of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of the Philippines.
Arnel Oliveros of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Antique said basic necessities include canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, candles, salt, bread, bottled water, and instant noodles.
The imposed APC was based on the prevailing prices of commodities monitored prior to the declaration of the state of calamity.
Daily monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance of retailers and safeguard the welfare of consumers, he added.
Latest report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed 7,195 families were affected by the oil spill, which include the fisherfolks and seaweed farmers. (PIA)/PN
