Following the declaration of a state of calamity in the Philippines for six months, the price freeze on basic commodities will be effective until May 15, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
The price freeze covers all merchants, including those who sell basic goods through the Internet or other media, according to the joint memorandum circular of the DTI, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Prices thereof shall not increase in the retail market for any reason or for any purpose for the next 60 days upon its declaration or until May 15, 2020, unless sooner lifted by (President Rodrigo Duterte),” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a recent Palace press briefing.
Lopez said the implementing agencies should ensure the strict implementation of the price freeze.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the price freeze was intended to make sure that food and essential goods “remain affordable to all.”
“It is being done to ensure that no one takes advantage of anyone.”
“It is also being done to ensure that no one takes advantage of anyone. Nasa gitna po tayo ng krisis, isang pagsubok na malalampasan natin kung tayo po ay magtutulungan. (We are in the middle of the crisis, a challenge that we can overcome if we help each other),” said Nograles, who was also present at the press conference.
The President placed the entire Philippines under a state of calamity on March 16 for a period of six months to allow the government to tap additional funds that will be utilized to address the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
Nograles said the prices of basic necessities are “automatically” frozen after Duterte declared the nationwide state of calamity.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has directed the DOH, DA, and the DTI to continuously monitor and review the prices of basic commodities within their respective jurisdictions and enforce price control measures pursuant to Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act.
Lopez said the implementing agencies should create a composite team that will intensify monitoring and enforcement of price freeze to prevent and control overpricing and hoarding.
The trade chief said the implementing agencies should likewise ensure that local price coordinating councils are fully mobilized and operational.
“Likewise, during the same period, the implementing agencies may recommend the imposition of a price ceiling on basic necessities at a level other than the prevailing price,” Lopez said.
Meanwhile, the DA will continue the implementation of the suggested retail price (SRP) for selected agriculture and fishery products amid the enforcement of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
“We continue to now enhance the implementation of the suggested retail price for nine agriculture and fishery commodities,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.
Dar said the basic commodities covered are the following food items, with their respective SRP per kilogram: pork at P190; chicken (whole, dressed) at P130; brown sugar at P45; refined sugar P50; bangus at P162; tilapia at P120; galunggong at P130; garlic at P70 to P120; and red onion at P95.
Based on DA Administrative Circular No. 01 issued on February 20, the SRP scheme covers Metro Manila markets only.
The agriculture chief said the public may report any complaints regarding prices of basic agri-fishery goods at DA’s hotline, 0951-144-3233.
Lopez also warned that profiteers and hoarders of food and other goods will face punishment.
He said an individual who violates the Price Act will have to pay a fine of up to P2 million and be imprisoned for up to 15 years.
Nograles encouraged the pubic to report those who are engaged in overpricing and hoarding of prime commodities by reaching out to DTI through its consumer hotline 1-384 or e-mail address ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.
“We will not allow anyone to take advantage in times of crisis.”
“Hindi po tayo papayag na pagsamantalahan ang krisis na ito para pagkakitaan ang taumbayan. Walang lamangan dito (We will not allow anyone to take advantage in times of crisis. No one should take advantage of it),” he said.
The Luzon-wide community quarantine which will be enforced until April 12, also limited the public’s access to basic necessities following the suspension of public mass transportation operations.