The Department of the Interior and Local Government here is urging local government units in the region to reactivate their Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) to prevent uncontrolled price increases in basic commodities such as meat and its derivative products.
DILG-Cordillera Director Araceli San Jose said the reactivation of LPCCs can prevent excessive and unreasonable price increase in agricultural goods, processed goods, and medicines as the nation is still under state of calamity due to the Covid-19.
The LPCCs will also assist in the implementation of suggested retail prices (SRP) of basic commodities, issue warnings, and monitor, transport, movement, and distribution of commodities, San Jose said.
Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act protects consumers by stabilizing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and prescribing measures to prevent excessive price increases during emergency situations and similar occasions.
“I strongly enjoin our local chief executives and members of the LPCCs to conduct regular inspections of public and private markets. LCEs may delegate barangay officials and non-government organizations to monitor abnormal price increases to protect our kakailyans in these unprecedented times,” she said.
She also urged LCEs to submit regular reports on Price Act violations to the National Price Coordinating Council secretariat and to provide stalls, kiosks, or spaces for the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program of the Department of Agriculture and Diskwento Caravan of the Department of Trade and Industry in public markets and flea markets, under its jurisdiction and control.
LPCCs may hold a public hearing or engage in dialogue with DILG representatives, producers, manufacturers, distributors, sellers, and consumers to arrive at a reasonable price ceiling.
They should also continue to monitor the prices of all basic necessities and prime commodities and enforce SRPs even during normal times to ensure that businesses do not take advantage of customers. – Press release
April 25, 2024
