LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 5 (Bicol) on Tuesday encouraged consumers to report price freeze violators, particularly on basic necessities in Bicol provinces placed under a state of calamity due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) last week.
In an interview on Tuesday, DTI-Bicol spokesperson Jocelyn Berango said an advisory was sent to all wet markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, and water refilling stations, prompting them to conform with the provision of Republic Act (RA) 7581, or the Price Act.
“Consumers are encouraged to report any irregularity, as DTI is not shy about filing formal charges against erring stores. Penalties for violation of the price freeze include at least the imposition of a fine of PHP 5, 000 up to PhP 1 million and/or imprisonment of one year up to 10 years,” she said.
Berango said the circular shall serve as a warning that any violation of the Price Act shall be dealt with accordingly.
“DTI enforcers have already been deployed since Thursday (October 24, 2024) to closely monitor stores’ compliance with price freezes and ensure availability of supply of these basic necessities in their respective areas,” she said.
Basic necessities under DTI’s jurisdiction are canned sardines, evaporated and condensed milk, coffee refills, laundry bars, detergent powder, candles, bread (Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal), salt, bottled water (potable water in containers), and locally manufactured instant noodles.
In a statement, DTI-5 Assistant Regional Director Joseph Rañola made an appeal to store owners to follow the law and not to take advantage of the situation to gain profit.
He also advised consumers to be discriminating in the purchase of goods to get the best value for money. Each one should be cautious, particularly on the labels and price tags, he said.
When a state of calamity is declared in a particular area, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days or until lifted.
The Bicol provinces under a state of calamity are Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay, and the towns of Bulan, Juban, Donsol, Irosin, and Matnog in Sorsogon.
Meanwhile, in Camalig, Albay, a landslide survivor whose house was totally damaged received construction materials from former Ako Bicol Party-List Rep. Christopher Co.
Gilberto Nopia of Barangay Miti thanked the former lawmaker for the housing materials.
“We have less to think about where we can get help for the materials needed to build our house again; everything was destroyed by Kristine. I am thankful that we’re alive; my son got injured in his shoulder, and I have bruises on my back, but we are very thankful that we are still here,” he said in Filipino. (PNA)