By Patricia Bermudez
CALAMBA CITY – A price freeze on basic goods is now in effect in Laguna after the province was placed under state of calamity, the Department of Trade and Industry-Laguna said.
“The DTI-Laguna informs all consumers and retailers that prices of basic necessities in the Province of Laguna shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control for a period of 60 days,” the DTI said in a social media post late Friday.
It added, the price control remains in effect until September 23, 2025 unless sooner lifted by the provincial government.
Automatic price control was implemented in three Calabarzon provinces namely Cavite, Rizal and Laguna including parts of Batangas province following the onslaught of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong, combined with the effects of the southwest monsoon or Habagat.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Rizal passed Resolution No. 408, formalizing the declaration after the province was battered with torrential rains and flooding.
“It is imperative that the Province of Rizal be declared under a state of calamity to give substantial leeway to all local government units in the province to utilize their Quick Response Funds and relief services and assistance to affected Rizaleños,” the resolution read.
These declarations are also necessary for local government units to access their Quick Response Fund (QRF) or 30% of its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) fund.
Furthermore, placing the entire province under a calamity state will also provide a legal basis for recovery programs as an aftermath of the typhoons.
The municipalities of Cainta, Rodriguez, and San Mateo have also passed separate resolutions as part of their localized declaration of State of Calamity.
Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act mandates a 60-day freeze at the prevailing prices of essential items such as canned sardines, processed milk, instant noodles, bottled water, bread, coffee, and detergent upon the official declaration of a state of calamity in an area.
