TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) -- Consumers will now play an active role in policing unwarranted price increases and supply shortages in their areas.

This comes after Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado issued Memorandum Circular No (MC) No. 1, series of 2024 authorizing consumers to conduct local price monitoring, establish retail price ceilings, monitor the transport, movement, and distribution of commodities, and report and arrest overpricing, and businessmen hoarding and manipulating supply.

The said circular also mandates the revitalization and reconstitution of the Municipal Price Coordinating Council (MPCC) with fish prices as immediate priority.

The order is in line with Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 03 of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The order strengthens the role of local price coordinating councils (LPCC) and local government units in managing unreasonable and excessive price increases for basic necessities and prime commodities.

JMC No. 03 was issued in line with Article 2 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394), the Price Act (Republic Act 7581), which details the implementing rules and regulations of the Price Act in the creation of the LPCC and provides for its powers and functions.

The revitalization and reconstitution of the LPCCs are mandated under existing laws  and regulations to monitor the prices of basic commodities, recommend suggested retail prices  and enforce the same.

“As soon as the municipal governments can start reconstituting their LPCCs, they can immediately implement their tasks,” said Bohol provincial administrator Asteria Caberte, who is also a former undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. 

Under MC No. 01, the LPCCS are tasked to coordinate and rationalize programs to stabilize prices and supply of member agencies and suggest retail prices of certain basic necessities and prime commodities, among others. 

The council can also conduct in-depth analysis on the causes of local price fluctuations and recommend actions to correct the unwarranted price increase and supply shortages.

During emergencies, they can coordinate the implementation of the rules issued by the government on basic necessities and prime commodities price monitoring, make frequent price and supply monitoring, and recommend the issuance of suggested retail prices and enforce them during calamities and fair seasons so no one takes advantage.

The MC also mandates the creation of the MPCC Task Force to carry out the objectives of the order, including the prosecution of offenders under the Price Act or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Persons caught violating the law will face the risk of imprisonment for 1-10 years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 and not more than P1 million or both at the discretion of the court. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)