Sans a prevailing disaster

Consumers see LPCC re-activation

solution to check goods overprice

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 6 (PIA)—Governor Erico Aristotle’s memorandum circular mandating towns to reactivate their local price coordinating councils may be the best move the government has done since the consumers complained of high prices of basic commodities.

This is a good development, said Department of Trade and Industry Officer-In Charge Vierna Teresa Ligan, noting that local government units play a great role in enforcing price controls, knowing also that some national government agencies do not have guidelines for price enforcement.

While the DTI is also mandated to keep the price of manufactured goods and basic manufactured commodities, and has the enforcement power on manufactured goods, agricultural and fish products fall within the purview of another national government agency.

Hog industry stakeholders, too see a local price monitoring council with powers to punish as a smart solution to Bohol’s price problem.

A hog grower who used to also butcher for the market, says at the current production cost of hogs and then selling it at P300 a kilo, a matador can really make a huge profit out of the scheme.

Ponciano Sumampong, a hog grower from Cantigdas, Batuan, leaked the outrageously high gain one can profit from buying cheap live hogs at farm-gate prices and selling the meat in a day for a 100% profit.

Sharing his experience during the Consultative Conference for Local Swine Traders, Buyers and Raisers held at the Capitol’s Ceremonial Hall as organized by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), Sumampong pointed out that buying at P160 per kilo of love hog and selling it at P320 is already too much.

Himself a raiser who used to slaughter to supply meat in the local market, Sumampong said even if they buy at 160 and sell it at 280, the seller can still earn a good profit.

According to the OPV Live Hog and Pork Price Bulletin issued February 2, live hog over 80 kilos are sold at P160 to P200 a kilo, a lechonon from P200 a kilo to P290, while the market price for pork ranges from P290 to P350.

Hog feeds agent from Unifeeds Edgar Suarez said since their production cost is at P133, if these are sold at P160, hog fattening may not anymore be sustainable.

Sumampong, who still continues to raise hogs said experimenting on commercial feeds and a mix of organic supplements allowed him to get a P145 per kilo production cost.

At that price, for a hog over 100 kilos, one can already get a P3,000 profit, he said hinting moderating the greed.

Even at P160 buying price, you can still sell it at P280 and have a good profit, he said.

Sumampong’s concern is also one that reflects the reality of palay, which are bought at P20 per kilo and sold at P50 a kilo.

The information bolstered claims that middlemen, or buyers paly their profits to the hilt without considering the bloated price.

The same is true with fish products.

It may be recalled that Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado issued a memorandum circular urging local government units (LGUs) to reactivate their price monitoring councils in each municipality.

The move aims to address unreasonable and excessive overprice of basic necessities and prime commodities, with a particular emphasis on the price of fish in Bohol.

The directive also aligns with joint memorandum circular no. 3 of 2020 from DA, DTI, DOH, DILG, and DENR, strengthening the role of Municipal Price Monitoring Councils (MPMCs).

Governor Aumentado emphasizes that monitoring the prices of goods requires a collective effort from all LGUs through a "whole of province approach."

The MPCC can recommend suggested retail prices (SRPs) while analyzing market price changes. It also has the authority to establish a task force and initiate legal action against those violating the law. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)