BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has threatened to cancel the business permits of businessmen who will take advantage of the price adjustments triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis and engage in profiteering, hoarding or any other illegal trade practice.
“We will go after these opportunists, issue notices of violation and if they fail to properly explain their price range then we will cancel their business permits,” the mayor told the Local Price Coordinating Council meeting on March 9, 2025.
Magalong convened the council to assess potential effects of the conflict on local markets and ensure that measures are in place to protect consumers amid uncertainties in the global market expected cause increases in the cost of essential goods.
The council members reviewed the city’s current price monitoring mechanisms and discussed strategies that could guard against overpricing or unauthorized increases in commodities and other illegal practices.
Among the strategies is strengthening coordination among concerned offices and stakeholders to closely monitor commodity prices and respond quickly to any unusual increases.
A unified consumer reporting platform will be set up where people can report incidents for immediate action by concerned offices such as the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) for basic commodities and construction materials, Dept. of Agriculture (DA) for livestock and fruits and vegetables, Dept. of Health (DOH) for medicines, among others.
Information dissemination will be intensified to guide the public on the authorized prices of commodities.
Price lists from the DTI, DA and other offices will be regularly posted on the city’s official social media pages.
As per the DTI Baguio-Benguet, the agency approves price increases for basic necessities, generally keeping adjustments below 10 percent.
Regular monitoring activities by the DTI Baguio-Benguet, DA, City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), City Market Office and other concerned agencies will be enhanced.
Mayor Magalong said engagements with business groups to ensure compliance with pricing and trade practices.
The mayor is set to meet with gas dealers and retailers and business associations like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the like aiming to strike agreements to guard against business frauds and abuses and help in price stabilization.
He appealed to the consumers to be vigilant and help the city government by reporting unscrupulous businessmen. (By Aileen P. Refuerzo)
