Price controls imposed for

localities under a ‘state of calamity’

The Department of Trade and Industry-Region VI (DTI-6) released their list of price ceilings for basic necessities in localities across the Western Visayas currently under a “state of calamity.” Several municipalities are still under the status after being stuck by Typhoon “Ursula” last month.
The department cited RA 7581, or the Price Act, which mandates price controls for proclaimed or declared a disaster area, along with areas under a state of calamity.
According to Section 6, under such conditions: “Prices of basic necessities in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.”
The policy also notes, “Price control of basic necessities under this section shall remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not for more than 60 days.”
The localities identified by DTI-6 include Batad, Concepcion, Balasan, Carles, and Estancia in Iloilo; Pandan, Caluya, and Libertad in Antique; and all towns in Aklan and Capiz./WDJ