The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office 6 has been monitoring the effects of Typhoon Paeng on the prices and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) in the region since Sunday, 29 October.

Due to the damages to infrastructures, BNPC deliveries are hampered from Iloilo suppliers to affected areas in Miag-ao and San Joaquin, Iloilo; and ten municipalities in the Province of Antique.

“Though BNPC prices are stable, the demand has significantly increased, especially in the Province of Antique due to bulk buying by private organizations and local government units for relief operations, retailers and consumers especially of some brands of instant noodles, canned sardines, and bread, among others,” said DTI R6 OIC-Regional Director Ermelinda Pollentes.

DTI R6 is coordinating with retailers and distributors on their needs in transporting the deliveries to the affected provinces to ensure price and supply stabilization,.

“DTI VI has closely coordinated with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) for their urgent assistance to address the challenges in the BNPC distribution,” added Pollentes.

As a result, OCD coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard to assist in the delivery of BNPCs via sea vessel covering the southern portion of the Province of Antique. Northern Panay and Roxas City retailers were also contacted by DTI to provide an ample supply in the northern portion of the province.

Meanwhile, automatic price freeze on basic necessities will immediately take effect in Region 6following the proclamation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dated 2 November 2022 declaring regions 4A, 5, 6 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as areas under state of calamity.

DTI monitoring teams were deployed to check the supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure availability of supply and stability of prices.

When a State of Calamity (SOC) is declared in a region, prices for basic necessities (BN) are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for sixty (60) days in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended.

The BN products that fall under the DTI’s purview includes bread, canned fish and other marine products, potable water in bottles and containers, processed milk, locally manufacture instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent and candles.

“We are urging our consumers to report distributors, retailers, and manufacturers of any violation, hoarding, or overpricing incidents,” DTI R6 Asst. Regional Director Felisa Judith Degala said.

Business establishments that violate the Price Act will be subject to administrative and/or criminal charges.

The price freeze shall be automatically lifted on its end date unless sooner lifted by the President.  ♦

Date of Release: 03 November 2022