Following the declaration of martial law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Mindanao amid the ongoing clashes between government troops and Maute group in Marawi City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hereby informs all consumers and retailers that pursuant to Section 6 of the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities in an area proclaimed or declared under martial law shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.
The regions in Mindanao where the automatic price control shall be implemented are the following:
- Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
- Region X – Northern Mindanao
- Region XI – Southern Mindanao
- Region XII –SOCCSKSARGEN
- Region XIII – CARAGA
Unless sooner lifted by the President, price control shall be in effect for sixty (60) days for basic necessities, and fifteen (15) days for household LPG and kerosene from the date of declaration.
Basic necessities refer to goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence such as, but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; potable water in bottles and containers; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables and fruits; locally manufactured instant noodles; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and detergents; firewood; charcoal; household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene; candles; drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health.
Business establishments found to have violated the automatic price control shall face the penalty ranging from P5000 to P1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of one (1) year up to ten (10) years.
The DTI enjoins the retailers to comply with the automatic price control while consumers are advised to be guided accordingly. The public is encouraged to make use of the DTI “e-Presyo” to check for the SRPs and prevailing prices of all basic and prime goods being monitored by the DTI including those stores selling at the lowest prices. Visit the e-Presyo page or download the app from Play Store using any Android device.
For more information, or to report retailers selling goods above the SRPs, contact DTI Direct at 751.3330 or text 0917.834.3330.