SOME 1,350 local government units (LGUs) have reactivated their councils to monitor the supply and prices of rice and key commodities in their areas, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday.
In a statement, the DILG said the Local Price Monitor Councils (LPCCs) are chaired by the local chief executives of the LGUs.
The councils include representatives from national government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and consumer groups, it added.
The DILG said the “key functions” of the LPCCs include market inspection, price monitoring, and analysis of commodity price fluctuations.
It said the LGUs reactivated their LPCCs “to help monitor the supply and prices of rice and other key commodities, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal of lowering rice prices nationwide.”
“The DILG is closely monitoring LGU compliance to ensure consumer protection and food affordability at the local level,” the DILG also said.
It said 1,269 of the 1,350 LGUs with LPCCs “are now conducting regular market inspections.”
The DILG added that 230 of the 1,350 LGUs have deputized barangay officials and non-government organizations to monitor price spikes.
Of the same number, the DILG said 1,201 “are coordinating with national agencies to address hoarding and unjustified price hikes.”
In a memorandum issued last May 6 to governors, mayors, DILG regional directors and others concerned, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla “highly encouraged” local chief executives to “immediately reactivate” their respective LPCCs.
Remulla noted that the National Price Coordinating Council issued a resolution in January recommending the declaration of a food security emergency due to a significant increase in rice prices. The Department of Agriculture approved the recommendation the following month.
