Price freeze imposed on basic goods in Agusan del Sur amid calamity
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The prices of basic necessities across Agusan del Sur have been frozen at their prevailing levels following the provincial government’s declaration of a state of calamity due to severe agricultural damage, critically low supplies of potable water and relentless high temperatures.
The automatic price freeze took effect immediately pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act of the Philippines, as amended by Republic Act No. 10623, according to a formal bulletin issued Friday by the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The measure was triggered after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Resolution No. 585-26, series of 2026, on Sept. 24, placing the entire province under a state of calamity. Prolonged dry spells and soaring heat indices have dried up irrigation networks, parched croplands, depleted community water sources and strained household incomes in multiple towns.
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READ: Agri losses from dry spell in Agusan del Sur hit P3.5B
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Under national law, the price freeze remains in force for the duration of the emergency conditions that prompted it, but may not exceed 60 days unless lifted earlier by the authorities.
The price freeze covers all essential items falling directly under DTI’s jurisdiction. These include canned fish and other processed marine products; processed and condensed milk; coffee; loaf bread and pandesal; bottled drinking water; instant noodles; iodized and coarse salt; laundry soap; powdered detergent; and candles.
DTI cautioned business operators, distributors and public market vendors against unauthorized markups, hoarding and price gouging while residents cope with the dry conditions.
Under the Price Act, individuals and enterprises found guilty of price gouging or violating the freeze order face imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years, fines between P5,000 and P1 million, or both, at the discretion of the court, alongside administrative penalties including the possible revocation of local business permits. /das
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