Cebu City to set up mobile market to combat threats of boycott from overpricing traders

Mobile markets in Cebu City, fresh produce at affordable prices. | CDN Digital file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City will set up a mobile market to combat threats from traders who plan to stop releasing supplies in their insistence to sell overpriced goods.

Lawyer Gerry Carillo, the chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Council, said they are expecting traders who will resist the crackdown on overpricing not to release supply causing an increase in the demand and forcing the price up.

“Now naa may tendency nga dili sila mamaligya i-threaten nila ang siyudad sa Sugbo. If that’s the case then we will establish a mobile market, duna tay option. Ato naning gi anticipate kay mura hulgaon mi sa siyudad sa Sugbo aron ibalik ang kantidad,” said Carillo.

The disaster chairman said they anticipated such antics from traders since the city has begun to crack down on sellers and retailers of overpriced goods such as water, butane, ice, and other basic commodities.

They have been going after bodegas where the overpriced goods are hoarded and distributed to retailers, who in turn are also forced to sell at unreasonably high prices.

In fact, Carillo said they have been monitoring reports of hoarding in bodegas in the Carbon Market.

“Naa gyod mga retailers sa Carbon mamalit mahal na daan so we are also forewarning kaning nag produce og mga ice nga ang tag 200 saona karon naa sa Pasil mil singko, usa ka libo, dos mil,” said Carillo.

So to combat any retaliation from the traders, the city will establish a mobile market, such as it did during the height of the pandemic, sourced from the local farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and participating industries.

The mobile market will ensure that there will be enough supply even when some traders attempt to manipulate the prices.

Aside from the mobile market, Carillo said they are deploying teams that will go to each barangay to monitor the prices and establish a command post for easier communication.

The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) will be monitoring establishments for their prices. Permits will be revoked if an establishment is proven to be selling overpriced goods.

Meanwhile, the city has also stabilized the price of fuel by putting up its own fuel depot at the South Road Properties (SRP) and reducing the lines at gasoline stations through the “no lining up” and “no vehicle no fuel” policies, thereby reducing demand.

“We have stabilize also the fuel, niubos na ang presyo kay we have threatened the fuel players nga we will put up one in SRP. Among gi threaten nga we will put up because this is the way nga manormalize ang situation. So far makita ninyo wala nay linya.”

“But we still proceeded putting up a fuel station in SRP, kay kini siya this will cater actually sa atong team, especially dunay pribado nga mga sakyanan atong mga volunteers because thousands of volunteers who volunteered their services for free or asking makamenus lang sila sa gasolina,” said Carillo.     /rcg