The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) mobilizes its workforce to closely monitor the prices of basic necessities in areas affected by typhoon Sendong to keep a tight watch over traders and retailers for undue price increases.
Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo states, “Aside from the regular DTI price monitoring activities that are being conducted in Metro Manila and other regions and provinces, the Department strengthens its watch on the prices and supplies of basic goods in places devastated by the onslaught of typhoon Sendong”.
In Malacanang’s Proclamation Number 303 that President Aquino signed on 20 December 2011, Regions VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Southern Mindanao) and CARAGA were declared under state of national calamity to hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and effectively control the prices of basic necessities for the affected areas.
DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya explains, “Based on the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, the declaration automatically freezes the prices of basic necessities in these affected areas at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control”.
The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI – canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and, salt; assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other marine products; assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – firewood and charcoal; and, Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH.
The DTI is doubling its efforts in making certain that retailers in these areas are aware of the prevailing prices that they should follow. We have increased visibility of the monitoring team in partnership with LGU in the market right after the onslaught.
He points out that the DTI’s regional and provincial offices are closely working hand in hand with the local government units and other offices through the Local Price Coordinating Councils or LPCCs.
DTI has requested the LGUs to update the price billboards in their public wet markets to guide consumers on the prevailing prices of basic necessities and to prevent retailers from increasing their prices.
Undersecretary Maglaya stresses, “At this time, we are undertaking all measures to ensure adequate supply of basic necessities and protect consumers from unreasonable price increases and other illegal acts of price manipulation”.
“LGUs are also enjoined to inspect the Timbangan ng Bayan if these are properly calibrated or set-up one to ensure consumers that they get their money’s worth. Moreover, DTI asks LGUs to check if retail stores and wet markets adhere to the price tag requirements in order to easily monitor any price irregularities”, Undersecretary Maglaya says.
Undersecretary Maglaya asserts, “The Department is closely watching the movements of the supply and demand of the commodities to facilitate smooth flow of goods in the markets of these affected areas. Based on reports from the industry sector, there is enough supply of basic goods so there is no need for consumers to stockpile products.”
An administrative fine of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and/or a maximum of 10-year imprisonment shall be imposed for violation of Price Control or the price freeze as per Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.
Secretary Domingo implores, “We are calling on manufacturers and retailers to assist the consumers in these hard times and not take advantage of the situation. We need to work together instead to rescue the communities from such disaster”.
On the other hand, the DTI, together with DA, assures the consumers in Metro Manila that prices and supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities and that of the Noche Buena products are within the suggested retail prices and are sufficient until the end of the year.
“We are encouraging the consumers to actively participate in the DTI’s Bantay Presyo Programs for further protection of their interest,” Undersecretary Maglaya quips.
Consumers can get more information or they can report any complaint on prices and supplies to the nearest DTI office in their area or to DTI Direct 751.3330. (www.dti.gov.ph)
Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo states, “Aside from the regular DTI price monitoring activities that are being conducted in Metro Manila and other regions and provinces, the Department strengthens its watch on the prices and supplies of basic goods in places devastated by the onslaught of typhoon Sendong”.
In Malacanang’s Proclamation Number 303 that President Aquino signed on 20 December 2011, Regions VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Southern Mindanao) and CARAGA were declared under state of national calamity to hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and effectively control the prices of basic necessities for the affected areas.
DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya explains, “Based on the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, the declaration automatically freezes the prices of basic necessities in these affected areas at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control”.
The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI – canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and, salt; assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other marine products; assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – firewood and charcoal; and, Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH.
The DTI is doubling its efforts in making certain that retailers in these areas are aware of the prevailing prices that they should follow. We have increased visibility of the monitoring team in partnership with LGU in the market right after the onslaught.
He points out that the DTI’s regional and provincial offices are closely working hand in hand with the local government units and other offices through the Local Price Coordinating Councils or LPCCs.
DTI has requested the LGUs to update the price billboards in their public wet markets to guide consumers on the prevailing prices of basic necessities and to prevent retailers from increasing their prices.
Undersecretary Maglaya stresses, “At this time, we are undertaking all measures to ensure adequate supply of basic necessities and protect consumers from unreasonable price increases and other illegal acts of price manipulation”.
“LGUs are also enjoined to inspect the Timbangan ng Bayan if these are properly calibrated or set-up one to ensure consumers that they get their money’s worth. Moreover, DTI asks LGUs to check if retail stores and wet markets adhere to the price tag requirements in order to easily monitor any price irregularities”, Undersecretary Maglaya says.
Undersecretary Maglaya asserts, “The Department is closely watching the movements of the supply and demand of the commodities to facilitate smooth flow of goods in the markets of these affected areas. Based on reports from the industry sector, there is enough supply of basic goods so there is no need for consumers to stockpile products.”
An administrative fine of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and/or a maximum of 10-year imprisonment shall be imposed for violation of Price Control or the price freeze as per Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.
Secretary Domingo implores, “We are calling on manufacturers and retailers to assist the consumers in these hard times and not take advantage of the situation. We need to work together instead to rescue the communities from such disaster”.
On the other hand, the DTI, together with DA, assures the consumers in Metro Manila that prices and supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities and that of the Noche Buena products are within the suggested retail prices and are sufficient until the end of the year.
“We are encouraging the consumers to actively participate in the DTI’s Bantay Presyo Programs for further protection of their interest,” Undersecretary Maglaya quips.
Consumers can get more information or they can report any complaint on prices and supplies to the nearest DTI office in their area or to DTI Direct 751.3330. (www.dti.gov.ph)
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