A price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities has been implemented across Negros Occidental following the declaration of a state of calamity in the province.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that the price freeze took effect simultaneously with the declarion of the state of calamity declaration. This measure aims to prevent hoarding and curb unfair price increases on essential goods, ensuring their accessibility to residents.
The implementation is in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581, also known as the Price Act, as amended by RA 10623. This law mandates an automatic freeze on the prevailing prices of basic necessities for 60 days once a state of calamity is declared in an area.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, July 25, placed the entire province under a state of calamity due to the widespread damage inflicted by Tropical Storm “Crising” and the ongoing outbreak of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) significantly affecting sugarcane plantations.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council stated that the simultaneous occurrence of both natural and biological calamities has resulted in massive agricultural losses, endangering food security, employment, and overall economic stability in the province.
The declaration cited the storm’s severe damage to property, displacement of families, and disruption of livelihoods in 21 of the province’s 31 towns and cities.
Heavy rainfall, brought on by Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon, affected 184 barangays and 35,312 families, the PDRRMC reported, causing “extensive damages to agriculture, infrastructure and local economies.” The Office of Civil Defense has estimated agricultural damage in the province at P55 million.
Lacson said that the state of calamity will enable local government units to utilize their disaster funds to aid affected residents.
