Price freeze enforced in 2 Mindoro towns under state of calamity

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Prices of nine basic commodities have been frozen in the municipalities of Paluan and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, which are under separate states of calamity due to weather-related disasters, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The price freeze took effect under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7581 (the Price Act of 1992), as amended. It will remain in force for the duration of the conditions that prompted the calamity declarations, but for no more than 60 days.

In Paluan, the state of calamity was declared through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 2026-08-07 due to the continuing effects of the southwest monsoon.

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In Sablayan, Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 2026-GGM457 placed the entire municipality under a state of calamity due to Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the continuing effects of Habagat.

The price freeze covers basic necessities under DTI jurisdiction, including canned fish and other marine products, processed milk such as evaporated, condensed and powdered milk, coffee, laundry or detergent soap, candles, bread such as tasty bread and pandesal, iodized salt, instant noodles and bottled water.

DTI in Mimaropa said it would intensify its monitoring of the prices and supplies of these basic necessities to ensure compliance with the price freeze and protect consumers in the affected communities.

Under the Price Act, violators face imprisonment of one to 10 years, a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1 million, or both, at the discretion of the court, in addition to applicable administrative penalties. /mcm