Cebu Governor Baricuatro Launches Comprehensive Price Monitoring Initiative

Cebu, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Government, under the leadership of Governor Pamela Baricuatro, is set to implement a comprehensive price monitoring system aimed at standardizing market prices across the province's various municipalities. Announced on July 12, 2025, this initiative is encapsulated in an executive order (EO) issued by Baricuatro, which seeks to establish local price monitoring committees throughout the province.

In a recent interview, Aldwin Empaces, the assistant provincial administrator, highlighted the importance of this initiative. 'The Province’s role will be to consolidate prices... That becomes a price monitoring mechanism in the entire province,' he stated. This comes in response to a recognized need for improved price transparency in local markets, which has been echoed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI has long advocated for the establishment of price monitoring committees within local government units (LGUs). While such committees are operational in highly urbanized areas like Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu City, many other municipalities have yet to activate them fully. Empaces noted, 'We spoke with DTI; they said they’ve wanted this for a long time. It’s already happening in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu City, but in other LGUs, it’s not yet very active or functional.' The aim is to extend this functionality to component cities, including Toledo City and Bogo, thereby enhancing price monitoring across the province.

The anticipated guidelines and recommendations for the program are expected to be submitted by July 14, allowing the governor to expedite the initiative's rollout. 'That’s a best way that, somehow, our reporting is data-driven, not guesswork,' Empaces emphasized, underscoring the importance of accurate and reliable price information.

This price monitoring initiative is set to encompass all products available in provincial markets, aligning with the DTI's mandate. Empaces pointed out that currently, price information is often only accessible at the national level, stating, 'But we don’t have something that’s our own.' The initiative aims to fill this critical gap in local economic data.

Furthermore, the push for price transparency is intricately linked to Baricuatro’s EO on Freedom of Information, which she signed on her first day in office on July 1, 2025. This EO, part of her administration's twelve immediate priorities, seeks to promote transparency and accountability in public service by facilitating public access to accurate information and data.

This initiative highlights a growing trend among local governments in the Philippines to enhance market efficiency and consumer protection through greater price transparency. As the initiative unfolds, it is expected to have significant implications for local economies, potentially aiding consumers in making informed purchasing decisions and fostering competition among local vendors.

In conclusion, Governor Baricuatro's commitment to improving price monitoring reflects a broader recognition of the need for transparent economic practices at the local level. As the program develops, stakeholders will be keenly observing its impact on market stability and consumer trust in Cebu’s public markets.