The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will enforce an automatic price control on basic commodities, following a declaration of a state of calamity in Iloilo City.

Compliance of traders and businesses will be monitored stringently daily, DTI said.  

The agency is waiting for an official order from the city mayor prior to the issuance of an official list of necessities.

“Ang mga basic necessities natin ay mga bottled water, canned goods, processed milk, noodles. Kung ano ang kanilang prevailing prices sa lugar na yan, yan ang magiging automatic price control,” according to Judy Sajo, spokesperson of DTI.

Iloilo City has declared a state of calamity due to the impact of the southwest monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by recent tropical cyclones - #CrisingPH, #DantePH, and #EmongPH. This after the Iloilo City Council adopted a resolution of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Under a state of calamity, the Local Government Unit (LGU) can utilize its P21.5 million Quick Response Fund, as well as the barangays.

Approximately P20 million will be used for the planned relocation at a site in Molo District of residents in coastal areas after at least 89 houses were destroyed by the storm surge.

“We have allocated for roughly around 100 hanggang 200 na households ang i-relocate. Not only ang totally damaged natin but others na requires ng relocation,” said Darwin Papa, head of the Operations Division of Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).

Papa clarified on the scrapping of P10 million initially prepared for the Comprehensive Flood Assessment and Drainage Master Plan of Iloilo City.

“It was scrapped because we were informed that although need natin siya ngayon, but we should allocate that sa pre-disaster works natin,” Papa pointed out.

In addition, under a state of calamity, members and pensioners of the Social Security System affected by the ill impact of an intense Habagat can avail of a calamity loan.

Based on past declaration, members can avail of one month’s worth of salary for a calamity loan.

“Pwede silang maka-avail ng loan at a minimal interest. Nire-ready na natin ang program. Waiting na lang sa final list natin sa guidelines kung ano ang content,” Amiel Genova, communication officer of SSS-Iloilo, said.