A price freeze on basic commodities in Albay has been implemented amid Mayon Volcano's continued unrest, the Department of Trade and Industry announced on June 19.
In a memorandum dated June 9 that was released to the public on June 10, the DTI said that prices of basic commodities are "automatically frozen at its prevailing prices for the period of 60 days unless sooner lifted."
"Warning is hereby given that any violations shall be dealt with accordingly," it added.
Basic commodities include rice, bread, cooking oil, laundry soap, candles, bottled water, fresh meat, and fresh, dried, and canned fish, as classified as essential by the health department,
The province of Albay earlier declared a state of calamity in response to the unrest of the Mayon volcano.
On June 8, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology upgraded Mayon Volcano's status to Alert Level 3 due to an "increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption."
