Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau Director Marcus Valdez II on Monday, November 28, assured that price freeze remains in effect in areas under state of calamity.
Valdez stressed that the declaration of state of calamity takes precedence over any suggested retail price issued by the DTI.
"Unless otherwise na-declare ng President na hindi kasama yung price freeze, frozen yung price niya from the time of declaration," Valdez said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
However, Valdez clarified that the price freeze only covers basic necessities, which include canned sardines, processed milk, instant noodles, coffee, bread, laundry soap, bottled water, salt and candles.
He stressed that the price freeze does not cover non-essential items, including Noche Buena items.
Valdez said that 77 areas in the country still remain under state of calamity but DTI has yet to receive a copy of the declaration of the state of calamity from 14 areas.
