Cebu activates price monitoring bodies

Cebu Province, including Cebu City, is beefing up its price monitoring efforts amid concerns over market disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East by creating a specialized and dedicated body.

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In Cebu Province, it was revealed that only eleven local government units (LGUs) in the province currently have an established Local Price Monitoring Council.

In response, provincial officials have scheduled a meeting today, March 12, 2026, at 3 p.m., bringing together mayors from cities and municipalities as well as key government agencies to discuss stricter price monitoring and consumer protection measures.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the meeting aims to ensure that all LGUs actively participate in monitoring the prices of essential commodities and enforcing local ordinances against overpricing.

For Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival pivoted from reviving the Price Coordinating Council to creating a special body instead as the city’s response to rising fuel and rice prices.

Just last Monday, Archival publicly said he would activate the city’s Price Coordinating Council, citing the impact of global supply chain disruptions on fuel costs and basic commodities.

PROVINCE ON HIGH ALERT

Amid growing global economic uncertainty stemming from tensions in the Middle East, Baricuatro moved to reassure residents that the provincial government is closely monitoring the situation to prevent unjustified price hikes and supply shortages.

She stressed that while the situation involves global developments, the provincial government is taking steps to protect consumers and keep prices stable in Cebu’s markets.

Baricuatro earlier convened the Provincial Price Monitoring Council together with representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev) to assess the situation.

During the meeting, officials reviewed current price movements and supply levels of basic commodities across the province, which showed that the supply of essential goods in Cebu remains sufficient at this time.