No price increase in Surigao Sur on a state of calamity, says DTI
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY --- The Department of Trade (DTI) Caraga headed by regional director Gay Tidalgo, and its Surigao del Sur provincial office reminded the business establishments in the province through the issuance of an advisory on the price freeze policy for basic necessities and prime commodities as the province is currently on state of calamity.
This
served as an immediate response of the government to protect the welfare of the
earthquake victims and protection of consumer rights, as the province led by
Governor Alexander Pimentel through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued
Resolution No. 1410-23, series of 2023 dated December 5, 2023, that declared
the entire province under a state of calamity.
During
this period, there is no increase in the prices of basic necessities and prime
commodities for 60 days, while for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and
kerosene products shall not be more than 15 days.
Moreover, the price considered is the one used before the implementation of the state of calamity. While rollback of prices is permitted.
Republic
Act No. 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act covers basic commodities such as
canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap and
detergent, candles, bread salt, potable water in bottles and containers, and
locally manufactures instant noodles, which are under the close monitoring of
DTI.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) watches over any price hike on rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh and dried marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar and fresh fruits.
The Department of Health (DOH) handles the essentials like medicines. On the other hand, the Department of Energy (DOE) takes care of the household LPG in cylinders weighing 11 kilos and below, and kerosene products.
The DOE specifically announced that the price freeze for the province is until December 19, while the local government of Hinatuan, as the epicenter of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, is until December 17, as it declared the town in a state of calamity on December 3.
Nida Grace Barcena, information center manager of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Surigao del Sur shared, “I see the spirit of Bayanihan happening in the province after the quake. Merchants are compliant with the price freeze because Surigaonons instead of considering profit first, they even give food and goods especially to those greatly affected by the quake.”
Also, Atty. Kurt Chino Montero, consumer protection division chief of DTI–Caraga appealed to business establishments for compliance with the law.
"Under the price freeze, business establishments selling basic necessities in areas declared under state of calamity are advised not to move their prices, and not to take advantage of consumers in these times of need. Violators will be dealt with accordingly under existing laws," Atty. Montero said. (RLE/PIA-Caraga)
