DA implements price freeze on agri-products

PRICE freeze of basic agricultural and fishery commodities in the provinces of Luzon is in place, following the state of calamity declaration due to the onslaught of recent typhoons.

"The price freeze on basic agricultural and fishery products forms part of the government's continuing efforts to ensure availability of basic commodities at reasonable prices, particularly in areas severely affected by the recent typhoons," Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said.

President Rodrigo Duterte had declared the island of Luzon under a state of calamity after typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses battered its provinces.

According to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center, the total damage and losses incurred due to Typhoon Ulysses has increased to P3.84 billion, affecting 104,733 farmers and fisherfolk and 101,904 hectares of agricultural areas, with a volume of production loss at 160,873 metric tons.

Dar will spearhead the implementation of the price freeze, with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Interior and Local Government Unit, to keep prices of basic commodities in check.

Price freeze is a condition in which the price of the agricultural products is set at the average price by the authorized government agency during a disaster and emergency.

"The President's declaration of a state of calamity is a big welcome sa atin sa agrikultura, kasi mas may ngipin na tayo sa pagmomonitor ng prices. This means the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) has to be sustained. Kung ano ang presyo bago nagbagyo, iyon din ang presyo na ipapatupad namin," Dar said.

Dar warned that traders who will violate the Price Act and manipulate the supply of the said commodities shall be charged with fines ranging from P5,000 to P2 million.

The DA-Central Luzon assured the public that the suggested retail price will be followed in different wet markets of Central Luzon.

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