Friday, April 18, 2008 Mayors told to monitor rice prices, other goods By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
CONCERNED about the "food crisis" in the country, Governor Isidro Zayco has ordered all mayors in the province to immediately conduct close monitoring on the prices of rice and other goods.
In Executive Order 08-017, Zayco said with the present situation, "there's a need to ascertain the existence of such crisis in Negros Occidental."
"All mayors in all component cities and municipalities in the province shall make a close monitoring of the prices of goods in their respective locality and then identify the problem areas, including the appropriate solutions to be take thereon," the EO added.
Zayco also asked local chief executives to assess the prevailing economic conditions in their localities and asked the mayors to investigate the reported adulteration of rice and such other problems.
He told the mayors to coordinate with the appropriate agencies on measures to be undertaken as well as submit periodic reports to the Office of the Governor on problems encountered and the appropriate recommendations.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno also called on local chief executives nationwide to organize or activate their respective local price coordinating councils (LPCCs) to help check against possibly unwarranted price increases of rice and other basic commodities in the face of volatile petroleum and food prices in the world market.
In a memorandum circular (MC) issued to all provincial governors and city and municipal mayors, Puno pointed out that LPCCs will help protect consumers from hoarders and other unscrupulous traders who might take advantage of the current rice woes to unduly jack up prices of the staple and other basic goods as well.
