Thursday, July 03, 2008 Arroyo orders activation of local price councils
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday ordered the activation of the local price councils (LPCs) in the calamity-stricken areas.
The price councils are activated to arrest unnecessary increase in the prices of commodities, especially rice, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
Ermita, in his weekly briefing, said the trade and agriculture departments were also directed to oversee the LPCs that are headed by local government executives.
"The President had instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and especially the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to oversee the local price councils which are headed by the governors, city and municipal mayors to ensure that prices of prime commodities do not increase unnecessarily," he said.
The activation of the price councils is covered under RA (Republic Act) 7581 or the Price Act," he said.
He also warned to confiscate licenses and padlock business establishments of unscrupulous traders who would take advantage of the situation. (JMR/Sunnex)
