The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced Thursday a price freeze for basic goods across the region after it was placed under a state of calamity due to recurring floods.

BARMM’s Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) is the lead agency in implementing the price freeze order.

Hussein Biruar, MTIT director of the Bureau of Trade and Industry, said the products covered by the order are canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.

“We are closely coordinating with other government agencies, manufacturers, and retailers to ensure availability and continuous supply of basic goods in the market,” he said.

Republic Act 7581, also known as the Price Act of the Philippines, provides that “prices of necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days once a state of calamity is declared in an area.”

Aside from grocery stores, the MTIT also warned small stores and retailers to refrain from selling necessities more than the specified prices.

A quick check with the prices of basic items showed that canned fish prices remained at PHP25 to PHP30 each, while sugar is at PHP75 to PHP80 per kg.

So far, the prices of goods in communities heavily affected by floods remained stable, with no signs of opportunism taking place, Biruar noted.

He urged the consumers to report violators to the MTIT regional and provincial offices to their hotline numbers made available online, and at recognized grocery and convenience stores regionwide.

“We are reminding the retailers that there should be no price movement on these goods while the price freeze is in effect,” he said, warning that penalties await violators proven to have violated the freeze order.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has placed the region under a state of calamity from August 18 to October 31 due to widespread flooding caused by successive weather systems. (PNA)