DILG calls on LGUs outside NCR to monitor prices of commodities to avoid overpricing

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday urged local government units outside Metro Manila to activate their local price coordinating council (LPCC) to ensure that prices of commodities are in check and valued accordingly.

In a statement, DILG officer-in-charge Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. said localities should keep an eye on public and private markets down to talipapas in barangays to avoid overpricing of commodities.

"LPCC will be the eyes of the government in ensuring na walang panlalamang at pandaraya sa presyo ng mga bilihin. Mahirap na po ang pagsubok na ating pinagdadaanan bilang isang bansa at ng ating mga kababayan bunga ng COVID-19, huwag na po nating dagdagan," Florece said.

He said LPCCs must conduct inspection in private and public markets; deputize barangay officials to monitor price hike in communities; and coordinate with other appropriate agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry to prevent unwarranted price increases.

This came after President Rodrigo Duterte directed the imposition of a price cap on pork and chicken for 60 days in the National Capital Region.

As stated in Executive Order 124, the price of kasim and pigue should not exceed P270 per kilo. The President also fixed the price ceiling for liempo and dressed chicken at P300 and P160, respectively.

Florece then called on LGUs across the metro to ensure that the price ceiling is being strictly observed.

“Umaaray na ang ating mga kababayan sa taas ng presyo ng mga bilihin partikular ang baboy at manok and we have to act on their complaints. We therefore direct our Metro Manila Mayors to comply with EO 124 signed by the President and ensure that prices of pork and chicken are regulated in their localities,” he said. -MDM, GMA News