DTI orders price freeze in ‘Paeng’ affected-areas
By Keren Anne Bernadas
The Department of Trade and Industry, pursuant to Proclamation No. 84 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. which places the Bicol region under the state of calamity due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, now implements the Automatic Price Control provisions of the Price Act or the price freeze of basic commodities for 60 days unless sooner lifted.
TS Paeng has caused millions of damages in Camarines Sur and adjoining provinces, not just to infrastructure and livelihood, but also gravely affected the agricultural sector.
DTI Cam Sur Officer-in-Charge Jay Ablan reminded all concerned businesses to comply with the provision of the law regarding the price control. Warnings are hereby given that any violation of the above mentioned law shall be dealt with accordingly.
Violators may face imprisonment for a period of one year to 10 years or a fine ranging between P5,000 and P1,000,000 or both, depending on the court’s discretion.
Further, the department enjoins consumers to report retailers that sell basic necessities more than the specified prices to DTI Cam Sur office. For information, consumers may call 09682811667 or 09662684010.
The list of the price freeze of basic commodities in Naga City is found at https://bit.ly/3FED4ls.
The said proclamation made by President Marcos on Wednesday also put the regions of Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao under State of Calamity due to the Paeng.
In the Bicol Region, the Office of the Civil Defense Region 5 has recently recorded a total of 1,352 barangays, 65,161 families or 251,176 individuals were affected.
As of Wednesday, there are still 144 families or 569 families who are still being sheltered in evacuation centers in Cam Sur and Cam Norte. All other areas have decamped.
The Department of Agriculture has estimated a damage of 21,338.16 hectares affecting agricultural areas amounting to P859,199.842.67. Infrastructure damages rose to P272,350,132.00. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)