SINCE Negros Occidental is still recovering from the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng earlier this month, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated yesterday, November 15, that the price freeze in basic and prime commodities in the province is still in effect.

DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Rachel Nufable said the 60-day price freeze took effect last November 2 following the declaration of the state of calamity in Western Visayas including Negros Occidental.

Nufable said the price freeze covers basic necessities such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is in charge of the monitoring the cost of rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, and fresh fruits while the drugs classified as essential fall under the Department of Health (DOH).

“In case there is a complaint (for prize movement), they can report it to DTI as it has corresponding penalties,” Nufable stressed, as she warned traders to abide by the price freeze.

Under the Price Act, business establishments found to have violated the price freeze will face a penalty of imprisonment for a period of one to 10 years, or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1,000,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.

She noted that they regularly monitor the stores in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental aside from those in Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, Nufable said that there might be slight movements in the prices of Noche Buena products a month before the Holiday season.

Among the Noche Buena items that they are monitoring are pasta, cheese, spaghetti sauce, fruit cocktail, creamers and ham.

Currently, they are using the 2021 suggested retail prices (SRPs) of these products though there are brands that have no SRPs.*