1,300+ LGUs reactivate councils to monitor prices

More than 1,300 local government units (LGUs) have reactivated their Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) to monitor the supply and prices of rice and other essential goods, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Sunday.

Field reports show that 1,269 LGUs are conducting regular market inspections, 230 have deputized barangay officials and non-governmental organizations to track price changes, and 1,201 are coordinating with national agencies to address hoarding and unexplained price increases.

Under Memorandum Circular 2025-044, the DILG called on all LGUs to activate their LPCCs, following a recommendation from the National Price Coordinating Council and in line with the Department of Agriculture’s "Bantay Presyo" program.

The LPCCs are chaired by local chief executives and include representatives from national government agencies, the private sector, and consumer groups. Their functions include market inspections, price monitoring, and analysis of commodity price trends.

The DILG said it is monitoring LGU compliance to help ensure consumer protection and food price stability at the local level.