Bacolod enforces price freeze, ramps up recovery efforts

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Greg Gasataya has announced a series of coordinated recovery measures to fast-track Bacolod City’s rehabilitation following the devastation of Severe Tropical Storm Tino, which prompted the declaration of a state of calamity on Nov. 4, 2025.

In a meeting with punong barangays and clearing team leaders, Gasataya outlined key directives focused on price control, power restoration, clearing operations, and relief assistance for affected residents.

Gasataya said he would meet with Roel Castro, president and CEO of Negros Power, to discuss ongoing power restoration efforts across Bacolod.

As chairperson of the Bacolod City–Local Price Coordinating Council, Gasataya, together with Department of Trade and Industry–Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal, signed the Automatic Price Control order to enforce a price freeze on basic commodities in all major establishments in the city.

City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said the council had convened to ensure compliance with the order in coordination with DTI and national agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Health.

“Joint inspections will be conducted in department stores and grocery outlets,” Mayo said.

“If violations are found, the council may issue show cause orders and recommend the filing of charges.”

He clarified that not all products are covered under the price freeze, such as generator sets, which are in high demand due to the power outage.

“The bottom line is to protect consumers from those taking advantage of the situation,” he added.

Under Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities in calamity-declared areas are automatically frozen at prevailing rates for up to 60 days or until the situation normalizes.

Violators may face penalties ranging from PHP 5,000 to PHP 1,000,000 in fines, imprisonment of one to 10 years, or both.

Consumers are urged to report overpricing or violations to the DTI–Negros Occidental Provincial Office at (034) 441-3644.

To accelerate post-typhoon cleanup, Gasataya ordered IPM Construction and Development Corp. to increase the number of trucks and collection trips for clearing garbage and debris, including fallen trees, branches, and leaves across the city.

He also met with telecommunication providers to enhance coordination on restoration efforts.

Following the meeting, PLDT and Globe aligned their workflows to address toppled poles, cut wires, and disrupted internet services, and established a direct communication line between telcos, the city government, and Negros Power for faster response.

The city continues to ration water, distribute drinking water, and sustain relief operations for evacuees displaced by Typhoon Tino.

The Department of Social Services and Development, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and barangay officials, is conducting validation of damaged houses throughout Bacolod.

Meanwhile, based on the Department of Education’s initial report, 134 school buildings were totally damaged and 189 partially damaged across 36 schools in Bacolod City.

Gasataya said an emergency meeting would be held to discuss the resumption of classes and the rehabilitation of affected schools.

“We are working round-the-clock with all agencies, utilities, and barangays to restore normalcy,” Gasataya said.

“Bacolod City will recover through cooperation and discipline.”