The Department of Agriculture (DA) has enforced a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities in areas placed under a state of calamity due to the onslaught of recent typhoon #OpongPH, the department announced in DZRH’s Magandang Umaga Pilipinas on Monday, September 29.

Agriculture Secretary Cristina Roque said the price freeze is now in effect in Masbate, Aklan, and other provinces heavily affected by the storm, in line with the directive of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Sa Masbate, Aklan, at iba pa naka-price freeze sila [dahil sa bagyo] ang prices ng basic necessities and prime commodities ay hindi dapat gagalaw. Dapat kung ano yung sinet ng DTI, yun po ang presyo niya for the next 60 days,” she said.

The DA assured residents that monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure compliance from retailers and suppliers. Along with this, several poster reminders were being installed to groceries, markets, and online.

Meanwhile, the agency warned that violators who take advantage of the situation by jacking up prices will face penalties under the Price Act.

The price freeze covers goods such as rice, canned goods, instant noodles, bottled water, and other basic household staples.

The measure aims to protect consumers in disaster-stricken areas, particularly families who are already burdened by displacement, food shortages, and damage to livelihoods caused by the typhoon.