𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒, 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐏𝐏𝐌𝐂
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro convened the Provincial Price Monitoring Council (PPMC) on Tuesday, March 10, to address concerns over the prices of basic and essential commodities amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The move forms part of the provincial government’s efforts to ensure price stability and prevent profiteering of retailers, with local officials and national agencies coordinating closely to monitor supply levels and enforce existing consumer protection laws.
In a hybrid meeting also attended via Zoom by representatives of national government agencies, the governor pointed out that the province will go after retailers who take advantage of the situation by unjustifiably increasing the prices of their commodities.
The meeting at the Capitol was attended in person by Provincial Administrator Ace Durano and Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces.
Joining virtually were Board Member Neneth Reluya, chairperson of the committee on commerce and industry; Marivic Aguilar, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Jennifer Bretaña, regional director of Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Region 7; Assistant Regional Director Evelyn Castro; and representatives from the Department of Agriculture Region 7.
During the meeting, the governor said she is urging local government units to strictly monitor prices in their respective jurisdictions and to impose stricter penalties allowed by law, including the possible cancellation of business permits for violators.
Aurea “Jake” Madrio, Chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division-Department of Agriculture 7, in her report, said it conducts daily monitoring of the prices of rice, corn, meat, vegetables, fruits, as well as salt and spices. The data are posted daily on the regional office’s Facebook page before 5 p.m.
RICE PRICES
Madrio also clarified reports circulating online about a supposed surge in rice prices.
“It should be clarified that the reported rice price of around P70 per kilo in Cebu refers specifically to one specific brand of a premium local rice and that is Ganador,” she said.
“This figure does not represent the overall pricing of commercial rice in the region. In fact the monitored data shows that local premium rice generally range between 54 and 60 per kilo during the period covered, which is up to March 6,” she added.
Aguilar, meanwhile, said that based on the latest Supply and Price Monitoring Data of the DTI, which covered Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs) across Metro Cebu and the rest of the province, supplies and prices of basic goods remain stable and within the Suggested Retail Price (SRP).
She added that current stocks are sufficient for at least three months, with no logistical problems since manufacturers and suppliers are located within Cebu.
The DTI also advised the public to avoid panic buying, noting that supply levels remain adequate at present.
The governor said she will meet with mayors on Thursday, March 12, to urge them to treat the matter with urgency. She has also coordinated with Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Cebu Chapter, for proactive daily monitoring of commodity prices and regular reporting to the DA and DTI to improve data management.
Gov. Baricuatro is also considering the creation of an online reporting mechanism where residents can directly report abusive price increases, hoarding, and profiteering by retailers. | CAPITOL PIO Photos by ARJ
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