Price Freeze in Effect in La Union Amid State of Calamity
By: Camille R. Bumatay, PIO | Photos By: LEEIPU | Date: July 30, 2024
A price freeze on Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs), selected essential medicines, basic processed products, agricultural produce, livestock and fisheries is now in effect in the Province of La Union until September 28, 2024, as the La Union Price Coordinating Council (LUPCC) has been activated following the declaration of State of Calamity through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 1230-2024 due to the effects of the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina.
The price list is based on prevailing prices monitored on July 30, 2024, the date of declaration of the State of Calamity. This may be accessed through the link: bit.ly/LU-pricefreeze.
As per the report of the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), prices and supply of BNPCs monitored as of August 15, 2024 in all municipalities and the city of La Union are stable. No movement of prices was noted and no shortages in Stock Keeping Units since retailers continuously keep track of their stock levels. Further, the DTI also conducted Diskwento Caravan for school supplies and Operation Timbangan, or inspection of weighing scales in the public markets.
The Department of Health (DOH) also adopted its Electronic Drug Price Monitoring System, a web-based solution to capture, process, store, and generate reports on drugs and medicines, and inventories from pharmaceutical companies and drug outlets.
Weekly monitoring of prices shall be observed by the implementing agencies of the Price Act, DTI for processed goods, DOH for essential medicines, and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for agricultural products to ensure that all prices and supplies are stable.
The price freeze implemented was in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581, also known as the Price Act empowering the government to enforce automatic price control measures on essential needs during a state of calamity. This initiative aims to protect consumers from unjustified price increases, ensuring that basic necessities remain accessible and affordable to those affected by the disaster holding prices of basic necessities at prevailing rates or the average price for the current month.
To protect consumers during the State of Calamity, violators of the price freeze shall be reported directly to the abovementioned agencies for investigation through the hotlines: DOH (02) 875 – 7734 or (02) 875 – 7264; DTI (072) 888 2455; and DA 072-888-7213 or IP Phone: 4122.
The Provincial Government of La Union led by Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David continues to work with concerned agencies in La Union PROBINSYAnihan in order to help alleviate the impact of the State of Calamity on affected residents.
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