The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ensured stable prices of basic necessities in four local government units (LGUs) under a state of calamity in Negros Occidental due to the El Niño phenomenon and Mt. Kanlaon eruption.

The state of calamity was declared in La Castellana on June 4, a day after the volcanic eruption.

It automatically allows the implementation of a 60-day price freeze in the LGU as provided in Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of the Philippines.

DTI-Negros Occidental Director Lynna Joy Cardinal said in an interview on Monday that their team went to La Castellana over the weekend to monitor the prices in supermarkets, grocery stores and wet markets.

“They are complying with the price freeze. The management of the stores is aware of it since there have been calamities in the past. A cooperative store in La Castellana has been instructed by its board to follow the required prices,” she added.

Cardinal said there is enough supply of basic necessities in La Castellana since, aside from those sold in stores, relief goods continually arrive for the affected residents.

Also under a state of calamity in Negros Occidental since April and May due to drought brought by El Niño are the cities of Kabankalan and San Carlos as well as the municipality of Valladolid, where the 60-day price freeze is ongoing.

Section 6 of the Price Act provides that prices of basic necessities in an area placed under a state of calamity shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.

Products categorized as basic necessities include canned fish, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, bread and salt, among others.

Section 16 of the Price Act provides that violators shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than 10 years or a fine of not less than PHP5,000 nor more than P1 million, or both, at the discretion of the court. (PNA)