Price freeze enforced in Oriental Mindoro areas hit by oil spill

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has enforced a price freeze on basic necessities in affected areas in Oriental Mindoro hit by the oil spill from the MT Princess Empress oil tanker.

In an emailed statement, the DTI said the price freeze covers basic necessities in the municipalities of Pola, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro, which have been placed under a state of calamity.

The price freeze automatically took place on March 6, 2023, and will be in effect for not more than 60 days.

This covers products such as canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry and detergent soap, bread, soap, candles, iodized salt, instant noodles, and bottled water, among others.

“DTI Oriental Mindoro is currently conducting intensified price and supply monitoring of basic necessities under the Departments jurisdiction,” the agency said in an emailed statement.

Violators of the price freeze can face penalties of imprisonment of a period of one year to 10 years or fines ranging from P5,000 to P1 million, or both at the discretion of the court.

This comes as motor tanker Princess Empress — which carried 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil — sank in Balingawan Point due to strong waves on February 28. All 20 people on board were rescued.

The PCG earlier said the motor tanker sank 400 meters into the ocean, which was too deep for divers to reach.

The Bureau of Fishers and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last week said the oil spill could cause a lower fish output, but not to the extent of a nationwide shortage.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said at least 61 tourist sites have been affected, with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) warning that this could reach northern Palawan and threaten over 36,000 hectares of marine habitat.—AOL, GMA Integrated News