MANILA, Philippines — A price freeze is now in effect on basic goods, following President Marcos’ declaration of a state of national calamity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
In a statement yesterday, the DTI, which serves as the chair of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), said the price freeze will be in place for 60 days, unless lifted by the President.
Under the Price Act, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at prevailing prices in an area placed under a state of calamity.
Last Nov. 6, Marcos approved the declaration of a state of national calamity due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino and as the country expects another super typhoon.
With the twin typhoons expected to affect 10 to 12 regions, the government expects the declaration of a state of national calamity to accelerate recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
Basic goods covered by the price freeze include canned fish and other marine products, processed milk (evaporated, condensed and powdered milk), coffee, laundry or detergent soap, candles, bread, iodized salt, instant noodles and bottled water.
To protect consumers during this time, the DTI said it has coordinated with all key NPCC implementing agencies.
To ensure sufficient supply of basic necessities and prime commodities, the DTI is also working with manufacturers, retailers and distributors.
“All DTI regional and provincial officials are on heightened alert and mobilized to enforce compliance with the price freeze and maintain adequate supply nationwide,” the DTI said.
The Department of Health (DOH), likewise, announced a price freeze covering 146 drugs and medicines now in effect across the country.
Medicines covered by the price freeze include anesthetics, analgesics, antiasthma, anticoagulants, antidiabetic agents, antidiarrheals, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antimicrobials, antiseptics, cardiac drugs, corticosteroids, diuretics, insulin preparations, among others.
The DOH advised the public to visit https://bit.ly/PriceFreezeDOHUpdated for the full list of drugs covered by the price freeze.
At the same time, the DOH urged the public to report any violations of the price freeze at pddrugpricemonitoring@doh.gov.ph, or ssupd@doh.gov.ph.
Take action vs overpricing
After Marcos declared a state of national calamity, the Department of the Interior and Local ordered local government units to take action against overpricing and profiteering.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla directed LGUs to activate price coordinating councils, after reports surfaced in Bacolod City about establishments allegedly doubling prices of generators and other essential goods.
“The DILG will support every lawful measure to stop abusive pricing and ensure that help reaches our kababayans without added burden,” Remulla said in a statement.
He stressed that public emergencies are not an excuse to exploit people, adding that LGUs must ensure that prices of basic goods remain fair and reasonable.
He warned those who take advantage of the current crisis will be held accountable for their actions.
On the reported overpricing in Bacolod, Remulla ordered the police to coordinate with the city government in validating the reports.
Agriculture grows 2.8 percent
Meanwhile, the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector expanded by 2.8 percent in the third quarter of 2025, driven mainly by higher rice and poultry production, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said rice and poultry accounted for nearly two-thirds of the sector’s total output during the period.
At constant 2018 prices, the total value of agriculture and fisheries production reached P408.94 billion, up 2.8 percent year-on-year.
Crop production, which comprised 53 percent of total output, grew three percent to P218 billion. Palay output surged nearly 13 percent, offsetting a 2.9 percent decline in corn production. Total crop volume rose 1.5 percent to 15.25 million metric tons.
“Clearly, we are heading in the right direction. Every quarter we are seeing improvement,” Tiu Laurel said.
He added that favorable weather this year has boosted yields, expressing optimism that palay harvests could reach a new record, similar to sugar production.
The DA chief, however, acknowledged persistent challenges in the livestock and fisheries subsectors. Livestock production dropped 1.9 percent to P60.51 billion, with hog output down 1.4 percent due to the lingering effects of African swine fever. The total volume of livestock production fell 1.6 percent to 514,390 metric tons.
Fisheries production also declined, with the value down 2.7 percent to P54.47 billion and volume contracting 7.5 percent to 894,320 metric tons, mainly because of a 15.7 percent decrease in seaweed output.
Poultry continued its recovery, posting an 11 percent increase to P75.96 billion and accounting for 19 percent of total agricultural output. Chicken production rose 12 percent, while egg production grew 7.7 percent, pushing total poultry volume up nearly 11 percent to 785,100 metric tons.
Tiu Laurel said he remains optimistic about a full recovery for the agriculture and fisheries sector this year, barring major weather disruptions in the final quarter.
In 2024, the sector posted an average contraction of 2.2 percent in the last three quarters, with only the first quarter recording a modest 0.5 percent growth. — Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva, Christine Boton