PCC launches investigation station in Cebu

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has launched its new investigation station (i-Station) in Cebu as part of efforts to strengthen competition enforcement in the Visayas.

In a statement Monday, the PCC said the Cebu i-Station located on the sixth floor of the 2Quad Building in Cebu Business Park would not handle cases and queries within the region.

The new investigation center, according to PCC, is intended to expedite the market investigation being conducted by the agency, as well as promote pro-competitive policies among local businesses, consumer groups, and other stakeholders in the Visayas.

“The establishment of the Cebu iStation is a response to the increasing demand for enhanced competition law enforcement and advocacy in the Visayas, the most vibrant economy in central Philippines,” PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said.

As Cebu is a major center for commerce, trade, and industry in the Visayas, PCC considers it as a strategic location for its investigation center in the region.

“Expanding the PCC’s presence throughout the country is crucial in fulfilling our mandate of safeguarding a competitive market landscape,” Aguinaldo said.

“Filipinos deserve better products and services, lower prices, and a wider array of choices,” he said further.

As part of the launch of the new i-Station, the PCC organized a coordination meeting with the Cebu City government to raise public awareness of the country’s competition law and policy.

Aside from Cebu, the PCC has three other i-Stations in the country.

The first i-Station was opened in November 2021 in Baguio City, followed by another in Legazpi City in June last year.

Last September, the PCC also opened an i-Station in Davao City.

The PCC seeks to protect consumer welfare by giving consumers access to more choices at lower prices, and to promote a competitive business environment by enforcing rules of fair market competition and encouraging market players to be more efficient and innovative.