City Hall to monitor commodity prices

CEBU, Philippines — With everything almost back to normal from Covid-19, Cebu City market operation’s division head, Engr. Robert Barquilla, says their main focus right now is on price monitoring.

The monitoring is not only focused on the Carbon Public Market but also on other public markets in the city.

Mayor Michael Rama had ordered the strict monitoring of prices of basic commodities.

Aside from the basic ingredients of the popular “binignit,” a staple especially during the Holy Week, Barquilla said they are also closely monitoring prices of fish.

Cebuanos, especially the Roman Catholic faithful, are not eating meat especially pork during this period as part of their religious tradition.

“Gawas sa binignit, usa pud sa halinon kaayo karong panahona mao ang isda. Tanan nga gipamaligya sa merkado kay atong gimonitor," Barquilla said.

Today, Maundy Thursday, heavy foot traffic in public markets especially in Carbon is expected.

Aside from the price watch, Barquilla said they are also going after those who are hoarding.

He said appropriate action will be taken by the city government against those who are found taking advantage of the situation.

Along with that, Barquilla also instructed his personnel to keep all public markets clean and safe.

Holy Week reminders

Meanwhile, Department of Health’s Regional Director Jayme Bernadas issued reminders to Cebuanos who are observing the Holy Week, especially from today until Sunday.

As many Cebuanos are going out for church visits and vacations, Bernadas advises everyone to avoid too much exposure to the heat of the sun.

“Dili lang kaayo magpa expose sa init kay init man kaayo..Enkaso gani mugawas outdoor, kinahanglan naay suficient fluids like tubig ug unsa pay madala,” said Bernadas to The Freeman.

Heat exhaustion/stroke and electorate imbalance as well as irritation due to too must dust outside may be experienced if not taking precautions.

“Agi sa kainit, pwedeng maga heat stroke, agi sa kainit gihapon mag electrolite imbalance ka kay sige ka ug singot, mawala ang asin sa lawas, ug ang kanang mahanggap na abog gikan inig kusog sa hangin kay wala lagi maka uwan, daghan pud ang abog, madaghan ang pulmonary problems-ubo, sip-on ug unsa pa diha na viral diseases na makuha,” Bernadas said.

Bernadas specifically mentioned noontime when the sun is up as the time to be avoided.

“Kanang init kaayo, kanang udtong tutok nga taas kaayo ang exposure nato sa radiation, taas pud ang exposure sa init..Kung init kaayo, syempre ang responde sa atong lawas ana, maluya, ma-dry-up, labi na sa mga may edad na or kato pung mga bata pa,” explained Bernadas.

Bernadas also reminded everyone to be extra careful with the food and water they buy to avoid diarrhea and food poisoning.

“Ang atong pagkaon sa dalan, kinahanglan magmatngon kay tungod sa abos, dali ma contaminate..So likayan nato ug pagkaon sa mga baligya nga gilatag ra sa daplin sa dan..Unta,naay mga tabon aron di matugpahan ug mga abog, langay ug mga kagaw,”added Bernadas.

“Tungod kay walay ulan, posible nga mamad-an ang atong mga supply unya kung mamab-an atong water supply, taas kaayo ang posibilidad nga maapil ang mga impurities nga nilogdan..Atong mga poso, e monitor pud ang safety…Tanan bantayan na,” Bernadas added. -/LPM (FREEMAN)