June 23, 2026 – The city government has requested the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) to conduct price monitoring, inspection and market validation of construction materials being sold in the city.
In a letter dated June 22, 2026, City Administrator Vittorio Jerico Cawis asked DTI-CAR Regional Director Raymond Panhon to assess the prices of construction materials following observations that costs remain high despite the recent easing of fuel prices.
Cawis said the continued high prices affect the implementation of key infrastructure projects, including roads, drainage systems, slope protection works, public buildings and other essential facilities.
“This directly affects the implementation of critical infrastructure projects… that are necessary for public safety, service delivery, mobility and disaster preparedness,” he stressed.
Cawis also noted that the situation impacts private homeowners, families, small contractors and property owners planning repairs and renovations before the rainy and typhoon season.
“For many residents, delays caused by high material costs may mean unfinished repairs, exposed structures, increased risk and additional expense.”
The city specifically requested DTI-CAR to monitor prevailing prices of commonly used construction materials such as cement, steel bars, G.I. sheets, plywood, lumber, hollow blocks, roofing, electrical and plumbing materials, and other hardware supplies.
It also asked the agency to inspect compliance with price tag and labeling requirements, validate whether current prices are justified by supply and market conditions, identify possible profiteering, hoarding, or other unfair trade practices, compare local prices with DTI reference prices, and issue advisories or enforcement actions when necessary.
The city government also requested a summary of DTI-CAR’s findings to help guide infrastructure planning, procurement, and consumer information efforts.
“While the City recognizes that market prices may be influenced by legitimate factors such as supply costs, transport expenses, inventory levels, demand and other market conditions, there is a need for appropriate verification and monitoring by the proper national agency to ensure that prices are fair, transparently displayed and compliant with applicable trade and consumer protection laws and regulation,” Cawis said. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
