Cebu supermarkets fully comply with nationwide price freeze — DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry said all supermarkets in the Province of Cebu are compliant with the ongoing price freeze following the declaration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of a nationwide state of national emergency for one year due to Typhoons Tino and Uwan.

In a statement on Sunday, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque also reported stable prices and adequate supply of basic necessities in Cebu City after leading market inspections on 13 November.

Roque said all establishments visited complied with the automatic price freeze on basic necessities such as sardines, instant noodles, bread, coffee, processed milk, salt, bottled water, candles, and laundry soap.

“Iyong mga presyong na-monitor natin ngayon are even below the prices set by the DTI, so maganda itong balita dahil sumusunod ang mga grocery at supermarket sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo tungkol sa nationwide price freeze for the next 60 days," she said.

The DTI chief, together with central and regional officials, inspected Gaisano Grand Fiesta Mall in Talisay, GMall Supermarket in Soriano Avenue, SM Supermarket in Mabolo, and Pacific Mall Metro Supermarket in Mandaue.

The team found no major irregularities and noted sufficient inventory levels across inspected stores.

Moreover, to sustain consumer protection, DTI has deployed monitoring teams nationwide to strictly implement the price freeze and conduct daily field inspections in affected areas. As of November 10, the DTI’s Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) likewise reported stable prices and adequate supply based on its inspection of 75 firms across Metro Manila.

Under the Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing levels for 60 days in areas declared under a state of calamity.

Businesses violating the automatic price freeze may face administrative and/or criminal charges, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to P1 million.

A Notice of Violation will be issued to establishments found selling above the mandated prevailing prices, requiring them to respond within 48 hours.