Price freeze is declared

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios declared yesterday a price freeze in the CNMI on gasoline, all foods, bottled water, beverages, ice, all clothing, and other items as the CNMI braces for Typhoon Mawar.

Palacios declared the price freeze pursuant to a declaration of significant emergency and state of major disaster he issued Monday and as per the Consumer Disaster Price Freeze Act.

In his Executive Order 2023-001, the governor said the price freeze shall last until rescinded, or until the declarations of emergency or disaster are terminated, whichever occurs first.

Prices are also frozen on the following items:

Kerosene, diesel fuel, natural gas, other chemical fuels;

Flashlights, lamps, lanterns, candles, light bulbs, and other means of illumination;

Generators, cables, wire, and electrical batteries;

All appliances used in the storage and/or preparation of food such as stoves, barbecue grills, ovens, refrigerators, and coolers;

Construction tools used for ground clearing or home repairs such as saws, machetes, hammers, drills, shovels, rakes, and brooms; and

All bedding items such as pillows, futons, and blankets.

Because of the increasing threat of Typhoon Mawar, Palacios also ordered the closure of all government offices on Saipan and Tinian effective yesterday at 12:30pm until the “all clear” declaration is announced.

The governor said Typhoon Condition 2 was announced for Rota Monday and that government offices there will remain closed.

He advised non-critical government employees to go home, take care of their families, continue to secure their belongings, and finalize preparations for heavy rainfall and increasing wind speeds through the remainder of the week.

The Office of the Attorney General encourages consumers to report incidents of price gouging.

To assist with the investigation of price gouging, affected consumers should submit a written complaint to the OAG, along with copies of all receipts, invoices, or other documents associated with the complained-of transaction. Consumers should save all receipts, invoices, and other documents related to price gouging. When submitting a complaint to the OAG, consumers should submit copies of any supporting documents and retain the originals for their own records.

Complaint forms may be obtained at www.cnmioag.org under the Consumer Protection section or in person at the Civil Division on Capitol Hill from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, or via email by sending a request to consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org.

Inquiries regarding consumer protection complaints should be directed to assistant attorney general Hunter Hunt at consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org or (670) 237-7500.