Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the monitoring of prices of basic commodities in areas affected by tropical cyclones Nando and Opong, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement a price freeze in affected areas.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DILG advised all local chief executives, through their respective local price coordinating councils (LPMC), to intensify efforts to ensure compliance by business establishments with regulations on automatic price control, price freeze, and mandated price ceilings. This initiative aims to prevent unwarranted price increases and address supply shortages caused by the recent calamities, as stated by the DILG.
The measures include conducting immediate monitoring of prices and supply of basic and prime commodities in the affected areas following the calamities or the declaration of a state of emergency. It also involves identifying additional essential items that may not traditionally be classified as basic necessities or prime commodities but have become critical due to the emergency situation. The DILG has called for increased frequency of monitoring, focusing on items experiencing price fluctuations or supply shortages. Timely reports are to be submitted to the Secretariat of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to facilitate efficient coordination and response. As market conditions stabilize, the frequency of monitoring and reporting will be adjusted, with a reduction of activities once prices and supply normalize.
The DILG urged all stakeholders, including business establishments and consumers, to cooperate fully in this collective effort to maintain fair market practices and ensure the availability of essential goods during this challenging period.
Meanwhile, the DILG commended the LGUs of Masbate for their swift, decisive, and life-saving preparedness measures that helped minimize the impact of Opong, which made landfall in the province twice on September 26. Based on DILG’s monitoring, 95.45 percent of critical preparedness actions were completed across all LGUs in Masbate before the storm’s arrival. All 21 LGUs, including the provincial government, Masbate City, and 20 municipalities, were fully briefed on the weather disturbance and activated their disaster preparedness protocols under the Operation Listo program.
These proactive measures proved vital as the province faced widespread infrastructure damage, province-wide power outages, and communication disruptions during the storm. More than 3,400 families, or 12,500 individuals, were safely evacuated ahead of landfall, significantly reducing potential casualties, according to the DILG. The provincial government also declared a province-wide state of calamity to enable the immediate release of emergency funds and resources, while class and work suspensions were promptly implemented to ensure the safety of residents.
The DILG highlighted that strong local leadership, backed by clear protocols, makes a difference in times of crisis. The actions in Masbate reflect the President’s directive to strengthen local capacities and build a disaster-ready Philippines. The President has emphasized that resilience begins at the local level, and Masbate’s experience demonstrates effective, on-the-ground action that saves lives and livelihoods.
Additionally, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is crafting measures to institutionalize disaster response among its personnel and units on the ground, expanding the same through community involvement. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that police personnel are actively involved in preemptive evacuation, search and rescue, road-clearing operations, and relief distribution. The PNP plans to further strengthen police and community relations in relation to disaster response through training programs and providing essential tools for disaster response.
