Bottled water now under gov’t price control

MANILA, Philippines - Prices of potable water in bottles and containers are now subject to automatic price controls during disasters as the law stabilizing prices of basic commodities during emergencies took effect Saturday, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said.

“We are pleased to report that by virtue of Republic Act 10623, which officially became effective Sept. 21, bottled drinking water prices are now considered frozen right away in areas declared in a state of calamity,” Romulo said.

The lawmaker first introduced in 2010 the bill seeking to include bottled drinking water in the list of “basic necessities” under price controls during emergencies.

“What prompted us to file the bill then was the propensity of crooked bottled water refillers and traders to take advantage of distressed consumers during harsh conditions,” he said.

He has seen bottled water prices shoot up to P140 per liter around areas hit by days of severe flooding.

“Drinking water is even more vital that food during emergencies. People can go without food for days and still survive, but not without drinking water,” Romulo said.

Even without widespread flooding, he also warned that essential water resources in general and bottled drinking water in particular are extremely susceptible to hoarding and profiteering during potential shortages, such as in the event of a prolonged dry spell.

The new law adds potable water in bottles and containers, locally manufactured instant noodles, fruits, household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene to the list of basic necessities under price controls during a crisis, as specified in the Price Act of 1992.

By law, the other “basic necessities” subject to price controls during disasters are: rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and essential drugs as classified by the Department of Health.

Violators of the price freeze face up to 10 years in prison plus a punitive fine of up to P1 million.

Unless sooner lifted by the President, the price freeze on basic necessities will “remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not for more than 60 days.”

With respect to household LPG and kerosene, which are mostly imported, the price control will “remain effective for not more than 15 days, taking into consideration the current inventory or supply levels thereof.”

Under the law, government may also use a special buffer fund to procure, purchase, import or stockpile any basic necessity and devise ways to distribute them for sale at reasonable prices in areas where there is inadequate supply, or a need to effect changes in prevailing prices.