The Local Price Coordinating Council has intensified monitoring of groceries and public markets to enforce the automatic price freeze now in effect across Bacolod City following its declaration of a state of calamity.
A composite team led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and key city offices conducted joint inspections on Friday, November 28, focusing on grocery stores along Hilado Street as well as the Burgos and Central public markets.
The move forms part of the city’s expanded enforcement efforts to prevent overpricing of basic commodities during the 60-day price control period mandated under the Price Act.
The inspection team included representatives from the various government offices, Bacolod City Police Office, market personnel and other concerned departments.
DTI-Negros Occidental chief trade and industry development specialist Engiemar Tupas said the team found no price increases in basic goods covered by the automatic price control (APC), including bottled water, sardines, noodles, and coffee.
“Supply levels in the grocery stores we inspected remain adequate and are expected to last until the end of December,” Tupas said.
The joint monitoring is part of the city’s response after Mayor Greg Gasataya and DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal formally implemented the APC earlier this week, putting major establishments under strict price control.
With Bacolod still recovering from the effects of recent flooding, authorities stressed the need to protect consumers from profiteering and ensure stable access to essential goods.
Tupas said daily checks will continue, and more establishments across the city will be inspected in the coming days.
DTI likewise assured that monitoring teams in Negros Occidental will be deployed to other affected areas to ensure uniform compliance with the price freeze.
Business owners were reminded that violations of the APC may lead to penalties under Republic Act 7581, while consumers were encouraged to report irregularities to the DTI-Negros Occidental office at (034) 441-3644./WDJ