𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐒 𝐕𝐒. 𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒
At least 25 city and municipal mayors in Cebu Province vowed to reactivate their respective Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) to help curb unreasonable price increases imposed by retailers at the local level.
The move is expected to strengthen price monitoring and enforcement mechanisms across Cebu’s cities and municipalities, particularly as global developments — including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — raise concerns over potential price volatility in basic necessities such as rice and prime commodities such as gas and fuel.
The commitment came in response to a request from Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro during a meeting with the mayors, along with regional and provincial directors of several government agencies — including the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Agriculture (DA), and Energy (DOE) — held at the Capitol on March 12.
“If makita nila nga nagkahiusa ta, and naa tay mga price monitoring councils, deterrent gyod ni siya sa pagtaas sa presyo. Kamo ang pwedi mosilot ani nila,” the governor said, referring to the LGUs’ power to impose penal sanctions on illegal price increases.
Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan said the initiative will be prioritized by the 44-member League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Cebu, which he heads. He added that the mayors will meet by Monday next week, and by Tuesday, the LPCCs in the municipalities are expected to have been reactivated.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
DTI Cebu Chief of Consumer Protection Atty. Airene Abapo said that in Cebu, only 11 local government units have reactivated their LPCCs amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
While the DTI welcomes the mayors’ commitment, Abapo said this alone will not be enough if mayors will not intensify price monitoring in public markets and major retail establishments, as well as impose sanctions on establishments caught taking advantage of the situation.
Based on the latest Supply and Price Monitoring Data of the DTI covering 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).
Abapo said there is no need for the public to resort to panic buying, as the country currently has a confirmed three-month buffer stock, and supply levels remain adequate.
Governor Baricuatro said the provincial government will work closely with DTI, DA, and DOE to monitor the SRPs of basic necessities and prime commodities. The Capitol will collate the data and send monthly reports to the mayors, which will serve as basis for the work of local price monitoring teams.
The SRPs will also include ceiling prices to account for transportation, labor, and other incidental costs incurred by retailers in LGUs located far from Metro Cebu.
ENERGY SECTOR MONITORING
During the meeting, DOE-7 Regional Director Rene Sevilla asked for the assistance of the mayors in monitoring the availability of fuel supply as well as any unreasonable increases in fuel prices in their localities, noting that the agency lacks sufficient manpower to conduct simultaneous monitoring in the region.
“We will tap the LGUs for assistance. Daghan man gud ni among adtuon so dili gyud na mo kayahon tanan,” the DOE-7 director said.
Sevilla explained that about 90 percent of the country’s fuel requirements are imported and largely supplied by Middle Eastern countries, and that the ongoing conflict there will have significant effects on local supply and pricing.
Some mayors also raised concerns about fuel companies refusing to sell fuel to fisherfolk.
Sevilla said the DOE has already instructed fuel companies to stop this practice and to sell fuel to fisherfolk, provided that they can present identification proving they are legitimate fisherfolk.
He said contingency plans are already in place to address vulnerabilities and potential threats to the oil supply chain arising from both local and international uncertainties. This includes oil supply measures, demand management, energy efficiency and conservation, as well as national government actions and local government support. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒀𝑱𝑩, 𝑨𝑹𝑱
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