In response to escalating concerns over rising costs of essential commodities due to global economic pressures, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has taken decisive action by establishing a special price monitoring body. This initiative aims to safeguard consumers and maintain affordability of basic necessities amidst worldwide supply disruptions.
Executive Order No. 066: A Proactive Measure
Through Executive Order No. 066, Series of 2026, Mayor Archival has officially created the Cebu City Special Price Monitoring and Consumer Protection Body (SPMCPB). This body will operate under the Office of the Mayor, with a primary mandate to coordinate price monitoring efforts and address potential market abuses. The order cites the Local Government Code of 1991 and the Price Act of 1992, which empower local governments to protect consumer welfare.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
The SPMCPB is tasked with several critical functions to ensure effective oversight:
- Regularly monitor prices of oil, food, and other essential items across markets, supermarkets, and gasoline stations.
- Collaborate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to enforce price regulations and investigate reports of overpricing, hoarding, price manipulation, or profiteering.
- Develop streamlined mechanisms for residents to easily report price abuses.
- Conduct inspections of warehouses and stores to verify pricing accuracy.
Composition and Leadership
The body will be led by the Mayor or a designated representative and includes a diverse membership to ensure comprehensive oversight. Key participants include:
- Chairpersons of the City Council committees on Trade and Commerce and Transportation.
- The Regional Director of the DTI.
- The President of the Liga ng mga Barangay.
- Officials from the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), City Treasurer, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Public Information Office (PIO), and City Market Office.
- A representative from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Urgent Action Amid Existing Frameworks
While Cebu City already has a Local Price Coordinating Council established under City Ordinance No. 1668, the new SPMCPB is designed to provide more immediate and rapid responses to price issues while the larger council deliberates. This move underscores the urgency of addressing consumer concerns in the face of global economic challenges.
The executive order took effect immediately on March 11, 2026, marking a proactive step by the local government to protect residents from inflationary pressures and ensure market stability.
