By CESAR JOLITO III

Escalante City in Negros Occidental has stepped up efforts to protect consumers from unfair pricing practices following the issuance of a new executive order strengthening local price monitoring mechanisms.

Escalante Mayor Melicio Yap signed Executive Order No. 16, reactivating and expanding the functions of the Local Price Monitoring Council (LPMC).

The move aims to ensure that prices of essential goods and fuel products remain fair and within government-prescribed limits.

Under the directive, all retailers and suppliers across the city’s 21 barangays are required to comply with weekly price ceilings set by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy.

The order covers basic commodities, services and petroleum products sold in gasoline stations.

Yap stressed that the measure is intended to shield residents from possible market abuse, particularly amid rising costs of living.

He underscored the importance of transparency and adherence to official pricing guidelines to ensure affordability of essential goods.

The reactivated LPMC will include representatives from the city’s economic and regulatory offices, alongside members of the business sector and consumer groups.

The council is tasked to conduct regular inspections of commercial establishments, address consumer complaints, and enforce penalties against violators.

Fuel stations will be placed under close monitoring, as fluctuations in fuel prices directly affect transportation fares and commodity costs.

The council will also release updated price lists weekly through official city channels to keep the public informed./CJ, WDJ