MANDAUE City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has created a Local Price Monitoring Council (LPMC) to prevent overpricing, hoarding, profiteering, and other abusive practices that burden consumers during calamities.
The council will monitor prices of essential goods especially during times of calamity or crisis, and file charges against violators under Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act.
Ouano signed an executive order creating the LPMC on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, to formally establish the council.
Under the order, Ouano will serve as chairperson of the council, with City Administrator Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. as vice chairperson.
Other members include the city agriculturist, city health officer, city environment and natural resources officer, Mandaue City Police Office director, and the head of the City Business Permits and Licensing Office.
Council members
Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7, accredited local consumer organizations, local market vendors’ associations, and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry are also part of the group.
Additionally, the City Council chairpersons of the committees on agriculture, disaster risk reduction and management, and trade and industry will join as Council members.
The Business Permits and Licensing Office will serve as the secretariat of the LPMC, responsible for preparing meeting notices, maintaining reports and records, and coordinating enforcement and monitoring activities.
Duties
The council’s duties include round-the-clock price monitoring of essential goods such as rice, canned goods, drinking water, cooking oil, and construction materials. It will also oversee compliance among business establishments, conduct surprise inspections, manage consumer complaints, and submit daily reports to the Office of the Mayor and relevant national agencies.
Ouano’s order authorizes the Council to recommend sanctions, including the filing of criminal charges against violators of the Price Act, particularly those engaged in hoarding and profiteering.
The council will immediately convene once a State of Calamity is declared and will continue operations throughout the duration of any price freeze or price ceiling period.
Its activities will be funded through the city’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund or other local sources, following standard accounting rules.
“This initiative ensures that Mandaue City remains proactive in safeguarding consumers, especially during emergencies,” Ouano said in the order which took effect immediately upon signing. / ABC