Grupong Bantay Presyo takes the cudgels, hatches plan to bring cheaper goods to consumers 

Grupong Bantay Presyo, a private sector consumer group, has hatched a plan to bring cheaper commodities or goods to the market, bringing huge benefit to Boholano consumers.

This was disclosed by the group’s chairman Cylwin Bomediano in a radio interview over dyTR Balita FM 91.1’s Open Forum program on Jan. 17, 2022 hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy.

Bomediano said that with the help of trader Jesryl Abarquez, the group will purchase commodities directly from farmers in Bukidnon.

The goods will then be shipped to Bohol via wing vans to be sold in some localities here, Bomediano said.

The idea is to skip the trading layers which make the prices of commodities such as vegetables and fruits, expensive.

Abarquez explained how the trading layers are adding cost to commodities making them more expensive by the time they reach the end consumers.

He said that that a cabbage bought directly from a farmer sells P35 a kilo and could cost more once it goes through the trading layers.

Meanwhile, the group’s vice chairperson Judge Jennifer Marcos said Gov. Arthur Yap is pleased that a private sector consumer group has been formed to help monitor prices.

Marcos said that she was told by Provincial Administrator Kathyrin Pioquinto and Provincial Legal Officer Julius Delgado that the list indicating the price celings will be posted outside the marketplace to help guide consumers with the right prices of commodities especially that a price freeze is currently prevailing in the province.

After the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared a state of calamity in Bohol in the aftermath of the fury of typhoon Odette, it is automatic that a price freeze is implemented.

Likewise, Marcos clarified that the governor has nothing to do with the sharp increase in commodity prices in Bohol.

The judge, who is part of the group as a consumer/private citizen and not as a public official, said that the Grupong Bantay Presyo was formed as a reaction to the sharp increase in prices of commodities that happened following the typhoon.

The judge called on the government for stricter implementation of laws to protect consumers from high prices of commodities especially during a state of calamity.

She also bared that the group has been pointed out as the consumer group that will be sitting in the meeting of the province’s Price Coordinating Council moving forward.