Price freeze enforced in Antique, other storm-hit areas

Prices of basic goods remain unchanged in storm-affected provinces, including Antique, following a mandated price freeze by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The price freeze was implemented in response to the recent state of calamity declarations brought on by successive tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, along with heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat.

Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, the government automatically freezes prices of essential commodities for 60 days in areas under a state of calamity. Affected goods include canned sardines, processed milk, instant noodles, bottled water, bread, coffee, and detergent.

The freeze is currently in effect in the provinces of Cavite and Bataan; the cities of Marikina, Las Piñas, Manila, Quezon, Malabon, Cebu, Meycauayan, and Dagupan; and 19 municipalities across Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Palawan, and Antique.

“We want to make it clear: no Filipino should be left behind during difficult times. Our monitoring teams are on the ground daily in all affected areas, from public markets to supermarkets to protect consumer welfare and ensure that prices of basic goods remain stable and fair,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

DTI’s regional and provincial offices have ramped up market inspections to prevent profiteering and ensure compliance with the mandated freeze.

Roque emphasized that the department is taking violations seriously, warning that “any violation of the automatic price freeze is punishable by law, with severe penalties including imprisonment for one to ten years and fines ranging from PHP 5,000 to PHP 1,000,000.”

The agency’s proactive monitoring aims to guarantee that supply chains remain intact and essential goods are accessible despite disruptions from extreme weather.

According to the DTI, teams are also coordinating with local government units and consumer protection groups to strengthen enforcement and rapidly respond to complaints.

In previous disaster responses, price monitoring and strict enforcement have helped deter hoarding and overpricing, especially in low-income and remote areas.

The DTI has urged the public to report businesses that defy price controls by calling the agency’s 1-DTI (1-384) hotline or visiting the nearest DTI office.