Antique: The 60-day automatic price ceiling (APC), initiated to mitigate the economic effects of Severe Tropical Storm Tino (Kalmaegi), is set to be lifted on January 5, according to an official from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

According to Philippines News Agency, the APC was established under Republic Act (RA) No. 7581, known as the Price Act, to stabilize the prices of essential goods and safeguard consumers. Arnel Oliveros, a Trade and Development Specialist with DTI Antique, highlighted in an interview that the duration of the APC is limited to 60 days.

Oliveros mentioned that the DTI Central Office is expected to announce a new Suggested Retail Price (SRP) once the APC concludes. He noted that there has been no observed panic-buying among consumers during the APC's enforcement, attributing this to the sufficient availability of commodities.

'The stores had already anticipated the demand for Noche Buena products and they have readied their goods to be sold,' Oliveros stated, emphasizing the preparedness of retailers in meeting consumer demands.