A councilor in Cebu City has raised concern over the rising price of rice in local markets and called on the city government to activate a price-monitoring body to determine whether the increase is justified.
During a privilege speech at the Cebu City Council session on Tuesday, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. said rice prices in several markets have climbed to as high as P70 per kilogram in recent days.
Alcover said the increase—estimated at about P10 per kilo depending on the variety—is already affecting many Cebuano families, particularly those who rely on daily wages and informal work.
“Over the past several days, we have observed that the price of rice in our local markets has risen to as high as P70 per kilogram,” Alcover said.
“Rice is not just a commodity; it is the most basic food on the table of every Filipino family,” he added.
To address the issue, Alcover urged the Office of the Mayor to immediately convene the Cebu City Local Price Coordinating Council, a body created by ordinance to monitor the prices of basic goods and protect consumers from unreasonable increases.
The council is composed of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the mayor’s office, market administrators, vendors, members of the business sector, and other concerned government agencies.
As chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Markets and a member of the coordinating body, Alcover said the council should begin immediate price monitoring in both public and private markets across the city.
He said the council must determine whether the spike in rice prices is justified or if it could be linked to possible speculation or hoarding.
“Price monitoring and consumer protection cannot be passive responsibilities. They require active coordination, regular monitoring of markets, and direct engagement with traders, distributors, and retailers,” Alcover said.
The councilor noted that the call to activate the price council is not new. He said he had already sponsored a resolution in August last year requesting the mayor’s office to convene the coordinating council.
However, he said the body has yet to meet.
He also recalled that the City Council held an executive session last year after rice prices spiked following national policy developments.
“Today, we are again confronted with another surge in prices,” Alcover said.
“Our constituents expect us not only to observe but to act decisively and protect their welfare.”
Alcover said rising fuel prices may also be contributing to the increasing cost of basic goods, including rice, because transportation and distribution expenses are affected.
He added that global developments may also influence prices, noting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and their allies such as the United States.
Still, the councilor stressed that the sudden increase in rice prices at the local level should be examined closely to ensure that consumers are protected.
At the end of his privilege speech, Alcover formally moved that the City Council take note of his statement and urgently request the Office of the Mayor to convene the Cebu City Local Price Coordinating Council. (LLP)
Sangguniang Panglungsod Cebu City - Secretariat
