Pursuant to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2020 aimed at strengthening the role of Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) in managing unreasonable and excessive price increase of basic necessities and prime commodities, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cavite, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cavite, and Department of Health (DOH) CALABARZON joined forces in convening the 24 LPCCs in Cavite to conduct an orientation and relay important updates regarding price stabilization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The orientation was held on 5 August 2021 via Zoom and attended by DTI-Cavite Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director (PD) Revelyn Cortez with the Consumer Protection Group staff, DILG-Cavite PD Lionel Dalope, DOH Regional Pharmacist Helen Jariel, and city and municipal LPCC members from the province. Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla was also present in the online event.
“I am proud that we were able to create and reactivate our LPCCs in Cavite. Malaki po ang magiging papel natin sa pagprotekta sa ating mga konsyumer sa pamamagitan ng regular na pagbabantay ng presyo sa mga pangunahing bilihin sa merkado,” PD Cortez said.
The highlight of the activity was the discussion of the Price Act and LPCC Guidelines by Lilibeth Chavez of DTI Cavite Consumer Protection Group. She emphasized the salient features of the Price Act as well as the composition, powers, and functions of LPCCs. She also discussed the measures to be undertaken during emergencies wherein price and supply monitoring activities must be conducted immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity or emergency.
As one of the implementing agencies of the Price Act, DOH also discussed important issues in relation to the pandemic including the suggested retail price (SRPs) for all basic necessities and prime commodities and the resolution of consumer complaints. She also presented the updated SRPs of essential medicines and medical devices to address the problems brought about by COVID-19.
To increase consumer awareness, DILG PD Lionel Dalope suggested boosting information dissemination through regular posting of notices, especially the imposition of penalties for violation of the Price Act, on electronic billboards or bulletins of LGUs.
With the capacitated LPCCs and established regular communication with them, DTI-Cavite looks forward to more active collaboration with its partners in the LGUs in developing well-informed and protected consumers. ♦
Date of Release: 12 August 2021