MMDA spearheads basic goods price check in NCR

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in collaboration with the Metro Manila Council and the Department of Trade and Industry, has started monitoring of retail prices of consumer goods in public markets within the National Capital Region to determine if they comply with governmentsuggested retail prices (SRP).

On Tuesday, the MMDA, together with local officials of San Juan City and DTI representatives visited the Agora public market.

The price monitoring team, headed by MMDA chairman Romando Artes, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and DTI assistant secretary for consumer protection Ann Claire Cabochan also looked at the vendors’ weighing scales.

Artes said the MMC, the governing board and the policy making body of the MMDA, will help ensure compliance with the SRP to protect consumers from unscrupulous retailers.

The MMC is composed of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila.

Mayor Zamora said he initiated the inspection in Agora market to assure consumers of protection from profiteering.

“I want to make sure that our constituents are not being sold overpriced commodities,” Zamora explained, adding that the city government has a Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) tasked to monitor the supply and prices of basic food items.