The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) mulls the lifting of the price freeze on basic commodities earlier than the mandated 60 days as long as manufacturers undertake a commitment not to raise prices until end this year.

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya told reporters that they have been studying the market situation in terms of supply and prices to ensure protection of consumers and that nobody takes advantage of the situation.

“But before we could recommend the lifting of the price freeze to Malacañang, we want to have a commitment from manufacturers that there are no new SRPs (suggested retail prices) until December this year,” Maglaya said.

The DTI plan also comes in the light of the normalization of the situation in the Luzon area, which was devastated by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

“The situation has normalized already and we have consultation meeting with the retailers and manufacturers,” Maglaya said.

The lifting of the price control would also usher in a sense of normalcy in the country, she noted.

Maglaya said that manufacturers have already adjusted their SRPs sometime in August and September and that should have tied them over the holiday period.

Under the Price Act or Republic Act 7581, a mandated 60-day price freeze on basic commodities is automatically implemented once a state of calamity is declared by the president. The 60-day price freeze on basic commodities is going to lapse on November 24. The law, however, is silent as to the lifting of the price controls on prime commodities.

Should the government wishes to lift the price freeze before the mandated 60 days for basic commodities, then Malacanang has to issue an order lifting the price controls otherwise it will just let the 60-day period expire.

So far, Maglaya said that 404 retailers have been served notice of violations for various offenses under the Price Act from price tags infraction down to underweight goods and mislabeling. Of the number, 200 retailers have been charged for over pricing.

“We are now determining their offenses,” she said. First time offenders have to explain within 48 hours.

The Price Act generally covers basic necessities such as rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles, and drugs classified as essentials by the Department of Health (DoH).

Prime commodities covered by the Price Act are fresh fruits; flour; dried processed and canned pork; beef and poultry meat; dairy products not falling under basic necessities; noodles; onions; garlic; vinegar; patis; soy sauce; toilet soap; fertilizer; pesticides; herbicides; poultry; swine and cattle feeds; veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle; paper; school supplies; nipa shingles; sawali; cement; clinker; GI sheets; hollow blocks; plywood; plyboard; construction nails; batteries; electrical supplies; light bulbs; steel wire; and all drugs not classified as essential drugs by the DoH.