NO PRICE freeze is to be declared for agricultural products but prices are still being monitored an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

After a price freeze was enforced by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for basic commodities, following the declaration of martial law, some of the consumers start to ask whether agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, and rice are included in the price freeze.

These basic commodities, those that are affected by price freeze, include canned sardines, processed milk, instant coffee, bread, instant noodles, bottled water, detergent soaps, and candles.

According to DA Davao Regional Director Ricardo Oñate, prices for agricultural products in the region are still on its normal ranges and are not to undergo price freezes.

“The prices right now are okay with slight variations based on the current supply and demand. Our prices are still normal and we are still monitoring,” he said.

The commodities mentioned by DTI are under price freeze for 60 days. In a previous interview with DTI Davao officer-in-charge Robert Barlis said they are to monitor these prices on a daily basis from the previous weekly basis, here in Davao City. He also said from a monthly monitoring in other provinces in the region, a stricter weekly price monitoring will be implemented now. (JPA)