Cebu City to establish ‘mobile markets’ in each barangay
By Ivan Rey Tan
THE Cebu City Government wants to deploy mobile markets in every barangay to counter individuals who are allegedly selling overpriced basic commodities.
Lawyer Gerardo Carillo, who is the current chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said Thursday, December 30, 2021 that they are anticipating that those involved in overpricing will stop supplying since the government has been strict in monitoring the prices of basic commodities.
Carillo said they have coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry to provide the supplies needed for the mobile markets they will establish.
As to the possible date of implementing the program, Carillo said they will check if market prices will stabilize in the coming days.
The city government has also organized 10 teams headed by the City Legal Office to monitor the prices of various commercial establishments.
An incident command system was also installed in every barangay for efficient monitoring, Carillo added.
Carillo added they also included the Business Permit and Licensing Office in their team so that they can summarily revoke business permits of commercial establishments that are caught overpricing their products.
On Wednesday, December 29, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama warned individuals taking advantage of the situation brought by the typhoon.
“Anyone taking advantage will really have to suffer the pain of what the law will bring them, including arrest and imprisonment,” said Rama.
Last December 28, the city caught two individuals selling overpriced drinking water at the Carbon Public Market.
But Carillo said that they have not filed yet any criminal charges against two individuals since they are targeting alleged suppliers who are reportedly hoarding essential commodities.
“Daghan sa atong kaigsuonan ang na biktima, please do not take advantage of the situation,” said Carillo.
Carillo said that those caught selling products that are way beyond their suggested retail price will be charged for violating Republic Act 7581 otherwise known as The Price Act.
