BASIC goods sold at the Mandaue City Public Market have passed the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) price guide following a compliance inspection that confirmed stable supply, affordable prices, and properly calibrated weighing scales for consumers.
The inspection, conducted on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, was led by OIC Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Chief Regino Mallari of the DTI, who also visited Colonnade Supermarket.
His team checked the prices of rice, canned goods, instant noodles, and other essential products against the agency’s suggested retail prices (SRPs), while also ensuring that the “Timbangan ng Bayan” weighing scales, a crucial safeguard against undermeasurement, were accurate and in good condition.
According to DTI’s price guide, a 155g can of sardines from brands like Young’s Town and Ligo costs P17.30 and P17.50, respectively.
For instant noodles, a 55g pack of Lucky Me Beef or Chicken is listed at P7.75. Other staple canned goods, such as a 150g can of Argentina Corned Beef, sell for P29.50, while a 175g can of Century Tuna Flakes in Oil is priced at P29.10.
Mallari said the inspection yielded positive results, with both the public market and the supermarket meeting compliance standards.
Mallari also said the supply of rice in Mandaue is not only sufficient but also priced lower compared to other areas in Cebu, giving consumers greater value for their money. The price of rice varies depending on the type and origin.
Rice
Myanmar rice is priced at P41.00 per kilo, while Vietnam rice costs P47.00 per kilo. Other varieties include Lion Ivory at both P51.00 and P55.00 per kilo, suggesting different grades.
Local varieties such as Lotus and Dinorado are priced at P45.00 and P38.00 per kilo, respectively. While King Leonie is priced at P38.00 per kilo and Golden Fields as the most affordable at P37.00 per kilo.
This range of prices was noted during the DTI inspection, which confirmed that rice and other basic commodities were “affordable” and that the market had a “stable” supply, Mallari said.
The market check is part of DTI’s regular price monitoring and consumer protection program, carried out in coordination with the Mandaue City Government and the Department of Agriculture.
Mallari said Mandaue was prioritized for inspection after coordination with the local government. For now, it remains the only market in Cebu province covered in this round.
However, the DTI team also plans to inspect other markets, manufacturing plants, and food processing facilities in the coming weeks to ensure compliance across the supply chain.
Mallari praised Mandaue for taking active steps to protect consumers, citing as an example the installation of LED display boards outside the market to publicly show current prices of goods.
While no violations were found during the inspection, he said if prices were to rise suddenly, vendors and the market administrator would first be required to explain the cause of the hike.
Common reasons for price spikes include disruptions in supply due to weather events like typhoons.
If irregularities are discovered during an investigation, administrative penalties or even legal charges can be filed.
Mandaue City Public Market Administrator Athena Salas said her office has been conducting weekly monitoring of prices and weighing scales to maintain consumer trust.
She said out of 1,200 stalls in the market, 982 are occupied, ensuring a steady flow of goods and competition among vendors that help keep prices affordable. / CAV