ILIGAN CITY, May 13 (PIA)--The local government of Iligan City virtually convened members of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) for its 2nd quarter meeting Wednesday, May 12, to tackle updates and other matters concerning price regulations in the city.

Representing City Mayor Celso Regencia, Chief of Staff Atty. Rafael Benedictos Jr. moderated the meeting to open the discussion of the pending agenda.

Elvira Redublado, Chief of the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Lanao del Norte, notified the Council that with President Rodrigo Duterte's issuance of Proclamation No. 1143, series of 2021 effective Monday, May 10, placing the whole country under the state of calamity due to African Swine Fever outbreak, DTI-Lanao del Norte headed by the newly installed Assistant Regional Director Ruel Paclipan is waiting for a memorandum from its head office to issue price freeze.

With this, she urged other government agencies to also prepare for a possible implementation of the same action.

"Each agency should be prepared sa atong price freeze level. According sa atong price act, ang atong price freeze level should be based on the previous week or the previous month na price monitoring nato," said Redublado.

[Each agency should be prepared with our price freeze level. According to our price act, our price freeze level should be based on the previous week or previous month of our price monitoring.]

She also reported how the Department of Energy (DOE) appropriately acted on the letter sent by DTI addressing concerns of high fuel prices in the city.

Redublado further cited their price monitoring of sold pork where a climbing price trend was noticed, and how the agency conducted a total of five health protocol monitoring to establishments as LPCC's contribution to the response against rising COVID-19 cases in the city.

Economic Enterprise Development & Management Office's (EEDMO's) Virginia Junsan also presented the regular prices of goods sold at Tambo Public Market as she attested that products are not encountering any shortage in supply.

Moreover, Permits and License Division's (PLD's) Jantzen Isaac Dalisay representing Officer-in-Charge Chief Rhodora Omblero relayed the current prices of fuel manifesting regular price trend.

On the other hand, DTI-Lanao del Norte's Daryl Radjac assured that although there was a price movement observed as of their recent inspection, significant impact is not yet considered as sellers were still following the guideline stating that price movement may be allowed provided it does not exceed 10% of the suggested retail price.

To complete the price reports, the Department of Health, National Food Authority, and City Agriculture's Office presented their own reports stating that all prices monitored were still within the standard price range. (CRG/ PIA-ICIC)