Redublado, E. G. (2015). Barangay price watch: Ensuring price and supply stability of basic and prime commodities in the barangay level through database (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management Development Program Middle Managers' Class Thesis (MMC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

The inaugural speech of President Benigno Aquino in 2010 clearly identified "CHANGE" as his mandate from the people whom he reiterated as "Kayo and Boss Ko". Good governance and a citizen-centric government was the general clamor of the Filipino people, which he readily accepted as his marching order-to transform the government that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation (President Aquino's inaugural speech, 2010). The "Barangay Price Watch" project is aligned to the present administration's thrust of good governance and citizen-centric government. The project aims to expand one of the basic mandates of DTI, "Empowering Consumer", to the lowest level of government unit, which is the barangay. Empowering consumers relates to championing consumers by way of enhancing its consumer protection programs to promote the welfare of each and every Filipino consumer. One of the basic rights of a consumer is the right to basic needs which include food, clothing, shelter, education, sanitation and a healthy environment. Thus, the "Barangay Price Watch" project is conceptualized to ensure the price and supply stability of basic necessities and prime commodities in the barangay level by establishing a barangay-based price database. The barangay-based price database is significant in promoting consumer welfare in the barangay level. It is a proven fact that most of the residents in the barangays are living within, if not just above, the poverty line. Also, they are susceptible to various forms of price manipulations and deceptive business practices. Thus, consumption of goods related to food really matters and is a big issue for them. The price database is significant during normal times; and even more so during times of disasters or emergency situations wherein "state of calamity" is declared by the President for the entire nation or by the Local Chief Executive (LCE) for specific areas like province, city, municipality or barangay. The project was implemented in three (3) pilot barangays of Iligan City namely Buru-un, Hinaplanon, and Mahayahay. These barangays were chosen based on their commercial activities and vulnerability to disaster. Its implementation was in collaboration with the Barangay Council and the Local Price Coordinating Council of Iligan City (LPCC-Iligan), the members of which includes DTI and the other consumer-protecting agencies like DA, DOH, DENR, DOE, NFA and their local counterparts in the city, municipal and/or provincial levels. In a survey conducted in May 2015, prior to the implementation of the project, majority of the respondents from these 3 barangays perceived that prices of basic necessities in the retail stores within the barangays were quite high compared to prevailing prices in major trading centers in the city. Among the items which were perceived to be priced higher are rice, canned meat, sardines, fresh meat (pork & poultry), eggs, laundry soap, milk, and LPG. Most of the respondents were amenable to the conduct of a regular price monitoring activities in the barangay and were willing to become members of the price monitoring team. For the 3-month period of implementation, each barangay had already established a barangay-based price database which has to be updated on a monthly basis. Updating involves the conduct of a regular price monitoring among the retailers located in the barangay in order to determine the prevailing prices of the basic and prime commodities in the area. The availability of the barangay-based price database which included the barangay prevailing prices in the months of June, July, and August 2015 provided the barangay officials and the price monitors factual data on the price level of various necessities sold in their barangays. In fact, data showed that bottled water is the highest priced item in the barangays. Data analysis showed barangay prices are generally higher by 20% to 50%; even some products at 70% higher than the prevailing market prices in the major grocery stores. Likewise, the findings will enable the National Government Agencies (NGAs) like DTI, DA, NFA, DENR, and DOE, as well as the Barangay Council, to take steps and actions to determine whether basic commodities in the barangays are reasonably-priced or not. If not, it will be a basis for policy formulation. Another aspect of the project was empowering the barangay officials in undertaking consumer protection programs as part of their regular activities. The "One Government-One Public Sector" notion is elaborated in this project since it required collaboration between government units. The creation of a Barangay Price and Supply Monitoring Team (BPSMT) through a resolution already showed the officials' commitment to ensure consumer welfare in their community. Likewise, the members of BPSMT exhibited the spirit of volunteerism to conduct regular price monitoring activities in order to update the barangay-based database. To ensure proper conduct of price monitoring and database updating, a procedures manual was prepared for easy reference. Another component of the project is the installation of a price billboard in the Barangay Hall or in a strategic area in plain view of the general public. Education and advocacy briefings were also part of this project to enhance awareness to consumerism. The setting-up of Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) in the Barangay Hall provided an avenue for consumers to raise or bring out complaints, seek redress, and get information and tips. The "Barangay Price Watch" project is very relevant and beneficial. However, its sustainability is a pressing issue because of the absence of a funding source, especially for the honoraria of the BPSMT members whose tasks are not only exhausting but demanding as well since it involves a lof of diplomacy and personal relations.