Capitol intensifies price monitoring

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Government is rolling out a province-wide integrated price monitoring system to tighten consumer protection and enhance transparency in trade, with technical assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (DTI 7).

This new initiative aims to empower local government units (LGUs) with timely and accurate data on the cost of basic necessities and prime commodities.

By consolidating localized pricing information, the system is expected to help consumers make informed choices and deter unfair practices such as overpricing, hoarding, and artificial shortages, especially during emergencies.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the province would take the lead in merging price data from different towns and cities across Cebu.

“For instance, if a municipality sets a specific price for pork or livestock, that figure will be integrated into the province’s overall database,” Empaces explained.

The plan includes forming Local Price Monitoring Councils in LGUs—something DTI has long pushed for but has yet to be fully realized outside major urban centers like Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

Empaces noted that many other LGUs still do not have active or functional councils in place.

“Dugay na nila (DTI) gusto mahitabo nga ma-activate ang price committee per LGU,” he said.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro has issued an executive order to formalize the activation of these councils, which will eventually feed into the centralized monitoring mechanism envisioned by the Capitol.

DTI 7 is expected to submit the system’s implementation guidelines by Monday, July 14. The guidelines will be reviewed by the governor for final approval before rollout.

Empaces emphasized the importance of data-driven governance.

“Simple ra kaayo. Gov Pam wants people to have access to the right information. This is about being data-driven, dili haka-haka," he said.

The monitoring system aligns with DTI’s existing “e-Presyo” platform, which lists the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) of goods such as canned sardines, milk, instant noodles, bread, bottled water, detergent soap, candles, canned meat, vinegar, soy sauce, toilet soap, and construction materials like cement and steel wire.

DTI said the expanded implementation of Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, makes it imperative to bolster local price monitoring, especially to stabilize supply chains during calamities and inflationary shocks.

Meanwhile, over 500 farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural entrepreneurs from Cebu gathered in Medellin town for the first Cebu Food Security Forum.

The event focused on food sufficiency programs, such as corn and soybean farming, confined cattle raising, and fish cage ventures for bangus and pompano.

“Incredible enthusiasm!” said food security adviser Manny Piñol in a social media post, describing how participants stayed actively engaged throughout the day, even without being served meals.(MyTVCebu)