DA: Basic Agri-fishery Commodities Covered by Price Freeze

Due to the damage caused by the series of typhoons, Luzon was declared under a state of calamity. With that, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will strictly implement a price freeze on agricultural and fishery commodities and basic essential goods. 

“With the declaration of state calamity in Luzon, that was badly battered by a series of typhoons, the Department of Agriculture (DA) — in tandem with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs), through their respective local price coordinating councils (LPCCs) — will strictly implement a price freeze on agricultural and fishery commodities and basic essential goods to make them accessible and affordable to consumers.”

-Department of Agriculture

In the statement of DA Secretary William Dar, he said that “The price freeze on basic agricultural and fishery products forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to ensure availability of basic commodities at reasonable prices, particularly in areas severely affected by the recent typhoons.”

List of Basic Agri-fishery Commodities Covered by Price Freeze

The following basic agri-fishery commodities (per kilogram) are covered by the price freeze:

• Milkfish (cage-cultured):  P169
• Tilapia (pond-cultured, fresh-chilled): P120
• Round scad or galunggong (imported): P180
• Round scad or galunggong (local):  P140
• Pork (pigue/kasim):  P260
• Pork (liempo):  P280
• Chicken (whole):  P130
• Sugar (refined):  P50
• Sugar (brown):  P45
• Red onion (fresh): P100
• Garlic (fresh, imported):  P100
• Rice (imported): special – P52; premium – P43; well-milled – P38
• Rice (local): special P53; premium – P45; well-milled – P40
• Chicken egg (medium):  P6.50 per piece
• Cooking oil (30 ml):  P25
• Cooking oil (1 liter):  P50

Price Act of the Philippines

Furthermore, price control on basic food commodities and basic necessities is automatically implemented in areas declared under a state of calamity for a period of not more than 60 days under the Price Act of the Philippines or the Republic Act 7581 according to Secretary Dar.

In addition, Secretary Dar has warned traders from exploiting the situation, and DA, DTI, DILG, and LPCCs will not hesitate to file cases against them if they engage in the following:

• Manipulating supply
• Hoarding
• Jacking up prices

“Any person or entity violating the Price Act shall be charged accordingly, with fines ranging from P5,000 to P2 million, and imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than 15 years.”

-Secretary Dar

Source: Department of Agriculture