IN THE bid to further ensure the welfare of the consumers especially amid the pressing concerns over coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental has urged local government units (LGUs) in the province to reactivate their respective Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC).
Rachel Nufable, officer-in-charge of DTI-Negros Occidental, told SunStar Bacolod that they already sent a letter to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson asking the latter to urge cities and municipalities to reorganize the price coordinating council in their localities.
Nufable said LGUs in the province have yet to recognize the urgency of reactivating the council, especially now that the country is being confronted by a health crisis.
“We are happy that cities of Silay, Bago and San Carlos have active LPCCs,” she said, adding that “we hope other cities and municipalities should also reactivate their own.”
Chaired by the local chief executive, LPCC’s major functions include coordination in the productivity, distribution and price stabilization programs and measures of the government.
The council should develop comprehensive strategies to effect general stabilization of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.
Also, with some government agencies, LPCC can conduct public hearings for purposes of assessing the supply, distribution and price situation of basic and prime commodities.
“With regards to Covid-19, the council can implement automatic price control (APC) within their jurisdiction,” DTI-Negros Occidental Consumer Protection Unit Head Romel Amihan said.
Amihan, earlier, told SunStar Bacolod that a 60-day price freeze among basic goods is currently taking effect in the province following the declaration of state of public health emergency by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 8.
The price control on all basic goods is also pursuant to Republic Act 7581 or Price Act.
Under the law, the price freeze is implemented when there is a declaration of state of emergency, calamity, disaster, rebellion and war, suspension of privilege of writ of habeas corpus, and martial law.
For DTI’s monitoring, the basic goods covered by the price freeze include canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, as well as locally-manufactured instant noodles.
Any seller who commits any act of illegal price manipulation or violation of the Price Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to P2 million.