DACO keeps the price freeze in force in the face of the drought

On July 9, 2026, NotiCel reports that the secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Hiram Torres Montalvo, confirmed that an administrative order freezing prices of certain staple items in the face of a possible drought period remains in force. Jenniffer González Colón summoned agency heads to draw up plans if the reservoirs do not receive enough rain. The first step, according to that coverage, would be to activate rationing in the east.

"Since mid-June, we issued a price-freeze order covering bottled water, ice, cisterns, as well as hauling services. That order remains in force," Hiram Torres Montalvo held. DACO, he said, will be watchful for excessive increases in cisterns, pumps, and other items. Until the water system is normalized, even if the rationing is confined to the metropolitan zone, the freeze applies to the whole island. In visits to hardware stores they have kept an eye on cisterns, pumps, pressurizers, fittings, and faucets. It will remain in force until it is determined that it is no longer necessary. In the inspections, he stated, they have not found violations. To hotels and condominiums that ask about hauling he has said that, if they compare with prices before the freeze and see an increase, they are going to be punitive. So far, he said, that irregularity has not been detected.

Early in the week, NotiCel recaps, Carraízo, Toa Vaca, and Cidra were under watch; La Plata, Río Blanco, Cerrillos, and Fajardo at safety; Guineos and Caonillas in overflow. That map is the same one the outlet published on July 8. This note is not the Guzmán Arriba rationing nor OE-2026-032: it is the price order remaining in force. Three instruments. The reader who wants the DACO order has the NotiCel URL at the foot.

Source: NotiCel. https://noticel.com/noticias/20260709/daco-mantiene-vigente-la-congelacion-de-precios-ante-amenazas-de-sequia/