No price freeze nationwide despite Marcos' national energy emergency order

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday said an automatic nationwide price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) is not in effect following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency.

Marcos issued Executive Order No. 110, declaring a state of national energy emergency and adopting UPLIFT or Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport —thereby activating a whole-of-government response to ensure energy supply stability, support key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and MSMEs, and protect Filipinos amid global oil supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

Under Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act prices of basic goods in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control whenever the area is declared under a state of calamity, emergency, martial law, state of war, state of rebellion, or when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, unless otherwise declared by the President.

"Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 110, which declares a State of National Energy Emergency, the DTI clarifies that an automatic nationwide price freeze under the Price Act (R.A. 7581) is not currently in effect,” the department said in a statement.

However, the agency said its consumer protection teams are on heightened alert. 

“We continue to check compliance with the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin and monitor BNPCs without SRP,” the DTI said.

“Any retailer found engaging in profiteering (raising prices by more than 10% without justification) or hoarding will face the full force of the law, including administrative fines and potential imprisonment,” it added.

The department said that the supply and prices of basic commodities and prime commodities (BNPCs) remain stable nationwide. 

The agency said that EO 110 is “a strategic measure specifically designed to address potential disruptions in the global oil supply chain.”

“It activates the UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) Program, which provides targeted subsidies to the transport and agriculture sectors. By stabilizing the cost of moving goods, the government is proactively preventing the very inflationary pressures that would otherwise necessitate a price freeze,” the DTI said.

The DTI said that 21 major manufacturers of essential goods—including canned sardines, bread, bottled water, instant noodles, and coffee— “have formally pledged to maintain their current prices for the next 30 to 60 days.” 

“This industry-wide cooperation ensures that prices remain fair without the need for mandatory government intervention,” it added.

The DTI said that its latest monitoring shows that inventory levels for necessities remain sufficient. 

“There is no shortage of supply that would justify artificial price spikes,” the agency said.

The DTI said it remains committed to balancing the interests of consumers with the economic realities of our local manufacturers. —NB, GMA Integrated News