DTI imposes price freeze on basic necessities in Metro Manila due to Carina and Habagat

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has imposed a price freeze on basic necessities in Metro Manila following the declaration of a state of calamity due to Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, Habagat.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual emphasized that this measure aims to protect consumers from unjustified price increases during the crisis, urging all establishments to comply with the freeze.

DTI has activated its monitoring teams to strictly enforce the price freeze, which covers essential goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, roots crops, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal, candles, and certain medicines classified by the Department of Health.

Among the necessities being monitored are bread, canned fish and marine products, potable water in bottles and containers, processed milk, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent, and candles.

Consumers are advised to report any overpricing or violations through the DTI Consumer Care Hotline at 1-384 or via email consumercare@dti.gov.ph.