DUMAGUETE CITY, May 3 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental has warned that violators of the price freeze on basic commodities may face up to PHP1 million in administrative fines and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

In an interview Friday, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson Krystle Jade Bato said they released a prize freeze bulletin on Thursday after having received a copy of Provincial Resolution No. 537 series of 2024 by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declaring Negros Oriental under a state of calamity.

The declaration came amid rising damage and losses to crops and other agricultural products caused by the drought triggered by the El Nino phenomenon.

"The 60-day price freeze of basic commodities will remai...