SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reiterated that the price freeze covering most of the province will remain in effect until June 18, even while the power situation here improves.
In an interview on Tuesday, a representative from the DTI’s Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) said that their office continues to monitor possible violators of the freeze order, even while local government units (LGUs) are primarily responsible for enforcement.
The DTI-CPG representative explained that the price freeze automatically took effect as soon as a state of calamity was declared in the province on April 20.
A state of calamity was declared under Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 136-2023 in response to a shortage in electricity which earlier triggered 15 to 16-hour daily brownouts.
The price freeze will remain in effect until its 60-day term lapses, or if otherwise revoked by authorities.
Out of the 11 municipalities in Occidental Mindoro, only the towns of Lubang and Looc are currently not under a state of calamity.
Basic commodities subject to the price freeze include canned sardines and other marine food products, processed milk, coffee, laundry and detergent soaps, iodized salt, instant noodles and bottled water.
Meanwhile, Malacañang last week announced that an end to the power crisis was imminent after an agreement was reached to operate three power plants belonging to Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp.
The power plants have a combined capacity of 30 megawatts, which is sufficient to supply Occidental Mindoro’s electricity needs during peak hours, according to the National Electrification Administration. (PNA)
