ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - Businesses and traders were reminded to comply with the price freeze following the proclamation issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Nov. 2 declaring Western Visayas as among the four regions under the state of calamity.

In a statement released on Nov. 3, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 said “when a state of calamity is declared in a region, prices for basic necessities (BN) are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for sixty days in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended.”

Monitoring teams, according to DTI 6, were already deployed to check the supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure the availability of supply and stability of prices.

suppliers to affected areas in Miag-ao and San Joaquin towns in Iloilo and 10 towns in Antique province.

The Oyungan Bridge which connects the towns of Miag-ao and San Joaquin was also damaged while the northern and southern districts of Bugasong, Antique were cut off due to the destruction of the Paliwan Bridge.

DTI 6 assures consumers that the agency is coordinating with other national government agencies and retailers to ensure that the transportation or delivery of basic necessities is not hampered in areas placed under state of calamity.

Through its coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense, a sea vessel will be provided to assist in the delivery of BNPCs while northern Panay and Roxas City retailers can provide ample supply in the northern portion of Antique.

DTI 6 has also identified initiatives to cushion the impact of “Paeng” to affected micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by linking them into financing institutions and suppliers of raw materials for a sustainable livelihood. (JBG/DTI6/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)