Contrary to reports, no price surge on basic goods in Cebu City - Archival

Local

CEBU City is taking a measured approach to reports of rising commodity prices.

Mayor Nestor Archival on Monday stressed that any government action will hinge on verified data, not unconfirmed claims.

In a press conference on March 23, Archival acknowledged public concern but said authorities have yet to establish the actual extent of price increases in the city’s markets.

“Wala kaayoy grabe ka saka. Naay mga concerns but not verified. If you have a complaint nga klaro gyud kaayo nga nisaka, then we will verify that,” he said.

For the mayor, the issue is not the number of complaints but the lack of clear, measurable evidence.

“Daghan nisulti nga namahal, so how mahal? That’s the thing,” Archival said.

City officials are currently conducting reviews and consultations, with Archival saying a clearer assessment is expected after scheduled meetings.

“Our finalization nato is unsay situation karon and ugma after sa meeting,” he added.

The cautious stance comes as local governments across Cebu heighten monitoring efforts amid fears that global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, could affect fuel supply and drive up the cost of basic goods.

In Cebu City, instead of immediately activating the Price Coordinating Council (PCC), Archival signed Executive Order No. 066 creating the Special Price Monitoring and Consumer Protection Body (SPMCPB).

The newly formed body is tasked with closely tracking prices of fuel, food, and other essential commodities, conducting inspections, and investigating complaints of overpricing.

It will also coordinate with national agencies and local offices to ensure consumer protection measures are enforced.

City officials described the SPMCPB as a more agile, immediate-response mechanism under the Office of the Mayor, designed to act quickly as market conditions evolve.

They clarified, however, that it does not replace the PCC, the city’s formal price coordination body established under the Price Act, but serves as a parallel structure to address urgent concerns.

The development follows calls from members of the Cebu City Council to convene the PCC, with Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. raising alarm over reports of rice prices climbing as high as P70 per kilo.

Alcover warned that such increases are already straining minimum wage earners, adding pressure on the city government to respond.

But Archival maintained that enforcement must be evidence-based.

The mayor urged consumers to come forward with specific, verifiable complaints, saying these will be crucial in guiding the city’s next steps.

Cebu City continues to monitor the situation, with officials emphasizing that any policy response will be anchored on confirmed data rather than perception.

“We need to establish first unsa gyud ang tinuod nga situation before we act,” Archival said.(TGP)