Mayors, MMDA to monitor market prices

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will coordinate with mayors of Metro Manila to monitor prices at wet markets in the metropolis.

“We will coordinate with the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to conduct monitoring of prices in various wet markets in the metropolis,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said as officials of the agency, the Department of Trade and Industry and the San Juan city government inspected the Agora public market yesterday to monitor the compliance of vendors with the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic goods and prime commodities.

He said the mayors “will help in ensuring compliance with the SRP to protect consumers from unscrupulous sellers. “

San Juan Mayor and MMC chairman Francis Zamora said he initiated the market inspection to assure consumers of protection from price irregularities.

“I want to make sure that our constituents are not being sold overpriced commodities,” Zamora said, adding that the city government has a local price coordinating council tasked to monitor the supply and prices of basic food items.

The MMDA said notices of violation were issued against two vendors at the Agora public market for selling imported onions above the P125 per kilo SRP.

Zamora said erring vendors will be penalized under City Ordinance 32, which created the price council.