Ched Rick Gatchalian

People use onions as payment for selected items at a department store selling Japan-made home products in Panay, Quezon City, on February 3, 2023. Japan Home Centre allows buyers to purchase only three items using onions, which will be used in their community pantry to give back to the community. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DTI warns price freeze violators may face fines, jail time

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry on Friday reminded establishments to adhere to the price freeze on basic goods in areas under a state of calamity due to the onslaught of several typhoons and the southwest monsoon.DTI Fair Trade Group officer in charge, Atty. Gino Mallari said over 40 cities and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity, where a price freeze is in effect for 60 days unless sooner lifted by the National Price Coordinating Council.While they have yet to receive reports of major supply disruption, the trade official those who may take advantage of the situation may face sanctions.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/24/agri-produce-enough-despite-crising-habagat-damage-da-0714">Agri produce enough despite Crising, habagat damage - DA</a></div>“Ngayon po, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na paglabag at major supply disruption maliban lang po doon sa mga matinding baha tulad sa Pampanga at Bulacan,” he noted.“Kung mayroon naman pong paglabag, maaari pong magkaroon ng administratibong kaso ang mga establishments, ang ating mga businesses. Mayroon po itong kaukulang fine na 5,000 to one million pesos, or imprisonment of one year to ten years,” Mallari stated.Despite the damages left by the typhoons and Habagat, the trade official also assured that the country has sufficient supply of basic commodities.“Sa latest report po natin, as far as DTI is concerned sa mga basic goods natin, three weeks to one month sufficient po ang ating supply,” he noted.He further advised enterprises not to manipulate supply and prices and urged consumers not to hoard goods. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/24/doh-dti-impose-price-freeze-on-medicines-in-areas-under-state-of-calamity-1437">DOH, DTI impose price freeze on medicines in areas under state of calamity</a></div>“Paalala lang po ‘no, huwag po nating samantalahin ang sitwasyon dahil kawawa naman po ang ating mga kababayan sa sitwasyon ng kalamidad,” Mallari said.“Sa atin naman pong mga kababayan, tiyakin po nating tama iyong supply natin at huwag po tayong mag-hoarding,” he added.

Establishments should follow the price freeze on basic goods in areas under a state of calamity.

Establishments should follow the price freeze on basic goods in areas under a state of calamity.