General santos city: Prices of basic commodities in General Santos City should not be adjusted upward for 60 days following the local government's declaration of a state of calamity after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake devastated parts of Mindanao on Monday morning.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque informed journalists on Tuesday that personnel from the DTI regional office in the affected areas are monitoring price developments daily. 'We've already instructed them to make sure that there's enough food supply, and that prices are stable and don't move," she stated during the launch of the Philippine Creative Ecosystem National Diagnostic Report in Makati City.

When asked about the quality of materials used in buildings that collapsed due to the earthquake, Roque mentioned that the DTI has a department responsible for checking the quality of construction materials in the market. However, she noted that the affected structures were already old.

In terms of financial assistance for micro, small, and medium enterprises affected by the disaster, Roque mentioned that the DTI has an Enterprise Rehabilitation Fund available for businesses in need.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, during an online briefing earlier in the day, encouraged the public to report any fuel price hike violations in the affected areas through the e-Gov mobile app. She emphasized that appropriate action will be taken by government agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Philippine National Police against any clear violations. "If it's a clear violation then we will proceed with any legal action against them," she said.