ILOILO City – Local government units (LGUs) across Western Visayas will soon be ordered to reactivate their Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) as authorities brace for possible fuel price spikes linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Western Visayas said it is finalizing a memorandum directing LGUs to revive the councils to strengthen monitoring of fuel supply and retail prices and prevent hoarding and unjustified increases.
The move follows an interagency consultation on March 9 that tackled fuel price monitoring and coordinated responses to potential supply disruptions caused by global developments.
DILG regional legal officer Junine Wednesday Java stressed the importance of activating the councils to ensure local governments are prepared to respond to market volatility.
“The councils are essential for monitoring local fuel supplies and retail pricing, providing LGUs with the resources needed to address price increases effectively,” she said.
The memorandum, expected to be issued soon, will outline guidelines and compliance requirements for local governments across the region.
Despite rising global tensions, authorities said Western Visayas has so far not experienced fuel supply disruptions.
Java said data presented during the latest coordination meeting showed no reported interruptions in fuel supply or adverse impacts on essential services, based on information from the Office of Civil Defense.
The meeting also underscored the need for close coordination among government agencies involved in price monitoring and consumer protection.
Among the agencies urged to designate focal persons were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure faster data sharing and unified action on price-related concerns.
Java said enforcement measures will be implemented if pricing violations are detected.
“It is important to coordinate with the Department of Energy, considering they are empowered to issue show cause orders,” she said.
Under the arrangement, both national government agencies and the reactivated LPCCs will serve as channels for public complaints involving suspected overpricing or hoarding.
LGUs were urged to act swiftly on reports of violations to protect consumers and maintain stability in the local market.
Authorities said the reactivation of LPCCs is a precautionary step aimed at shielding communities in Western Visayas from the ripple effects of rising global fuel prices and ensuring transparency in the sale of petroleum products and other essential commodities./PN
