Cebu City forms price monitoring team

Local

AS global economic pressures continue to drive up the cost of living, Cebu City has created a special body tasked with closely monitoring fuel and basic commodity prices.

Mayor Nestor Archival signed Executive Order No. 066 on Wednesday, March 11, establishing the Cebu City Special Price Monitoring and Consumer Protection Body (SPMCPB), which will operate under the Office of the City Mayor.

The measure comes as rising fuel prices and supply chain disruptions linked to global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, begin to affect the prices of goods locally.

“Rising fuel prices have a direct impact on transportation, food distribution, and the overall cost of living, thereby affecting households, businesses, and the local economy of Cebu City,” the executive order stated.

Earlier, Archival had already indicated plans to revive the city’s price monitoring council amid concerns that rising fuel prices could trigger increases in the cost of basic commodities.

“I understand nga ang tanan natong pamaliton musaka gyud ni considering nga musaka man gyud ang atong gasoline. Ang hangyo lang nako sa atong mga vendors… ato gyung pagpamaligya is not only for profit nato, dili nato i-overprice,” he said.

Under the order, the newly created body will regularly monitor the prices of fuel, food products, and other essential commodities in public markets, supermarkets, gasoline stations, and other retail establishments throughout Cebu City.

It is also authorized to coordinate with national government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in enforcing price regulations and addressing complaints about possible overpricing, hoarding, price manipulation, or profiteering.

The body may conduct joint inspections in markets, warehouses, and commercial establishments to verify prevailing prices and ensure compliance with existing laws.

To strengthen consumer protection, the city government will also establish a reporting mechanism, such as a hotline or digital platform, where residents can report suspected price abuses.

The monitoring body will be chaired by Archival, with Councilor Harold Go, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship, serving as vice chairperson.

Members include Councilor Winston Pepito, representatives from the DTI, Liga ng mga Barangay–Cebu City, the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office, the Cebu City Police Office, the Public Information Office, the Office of the City Market, and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The body is expected to submit regular reports and policy recommendations to the Office of the Mayor to help stabilize prices and protect consumers.

The executive order clarified that the SPMCPB does not replace the Cebu City Local Price Coordinating Council, which was created under City Ordinance No. 1668, as amended by Ordinance No. 1688, in line with the Price Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7581).

However, the order noted that convening the existing council, which includes several national agencies and sectoral representatives, may not be immediately practicable under current circumstances.

For now, the special monitoring body will serve as an “immediate, circumstances-responsive coordinating and monitoring body” while coordinating with relevant national agencies.

The creation of the body comes amid growing concerns in the Cebu City Council over rising rice prices.

During a privilege speech on Tuesday, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. said the price of rice in local markets has climbed to as high as ₱70 per kilogram, about ₱10 higher per kilo depending on the variety.

“For ordinary families, especially minimum wage earners, daily laborers, and those in the informal sector, this increase is not a small matter,” Alcover said.

“Rice is not just a commodity; it is the most basic food on the table of every Filipino family.”

Alcover urged the mayor to immediately convene the Cebu City Local Price Coordinating Council to determine whether the price increases are justified or the result of speculation or hoarding.

The proposal sparked discussion among council members, with some questioning whether monitoring alone could address price spikes driven by global factors such as rising fuel costs.

Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña raised concerns about the limits of local intervention.

“If we monitor the price of rice and it goes up, what are we going to do? How will that make life easier?” Osmeña asked during the council discussion.

Councilor Sisinio Andales also pointed out that commodity price increases are often influenced by global market conditions and may ultimately require national government intervention.

Still, several councilors supported the move, saying the city should at least ensure that consumers are protected from unjustified price increases.

Councilor Joel Garganera said the purpose of the monitoring body is not to control prices but to watch for possible abuses.

“Kani ba ang pag-monitor langa ron… at least naa lang ta body ba na monitor ug paniltan mupalabi mangali naa tay basehan,” Garganera said, referring to the need to check if businesses are taking advantage of the situation.

Councilor Winston Pepito echoed the sentiment, saying the city should act rather than remain passive.

“With the increasing prices of basic commodities right now, are we not going to do anything about it? Or at least try man lang?” Pepito said.

In the end, the council approved Alcover’s motion requesting the mayor to convene the local price coordinating council.(TGP)