ON the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution enjoining all local traders, wholesalers and retailers at the Malimgas Public Market to comply to Executive Order No. 124 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte that mandated a 60-day price ceiling on selected pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region 08 February 2021.

In addition, SP resolution authored by Councilor Cisco Flores, chair of the SP committee on trade and industry, asked traders, wholesalers and retailers to provide adequate tags or levels indicating the price of the commodity for the information of the buying public.

Councilor Michael Fernandez was hesitant earlier to support the measure, arguing that it is not within the power of the legislative body to impose price ceilings, which is the power of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture but supported it in the end nonetheless.

He said the purpose of the resolution is principally to protect the consuming public and at the same time seeks to ensure that the small and big businessmen will not be losing too in their venture.

The resolution was approved despite the contention of Councilor Teresa Coquia, chair of the committee on market, that it is not the traders, wholesalers and retailers who dictate the prices of pork and chicken but the producers who impose higher farm gate prices for their products.

Noting that Mayor Brian Lim has endorsed the E.O. of President Duterte, Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo cited the need to support the executive by encouraging backyard pig raising and poultry raising in Dagupan to boost the scarce supply of pork and chicken in the market.

Reminding that prices are dictated by market forces, Tamayo said affected local folks must be encouraged to go back to backyard pig raising. (Leonardo Micua)

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