DTI steps up efforts to ensure price freeze

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is stepping up efforts to ensure there would be no price hikes in goods during the Christmas season.

In addition, the DTI has ordered checks on product labeling, specifically Christmas lights without proper labels and the import commodity clearance or ICC mark.

Aside from assuring consumers that government is working to stabilize prices, especially as buying is expected to perk up in time for the holidays, the collaborative monitoring effort is implemented to enforce a DTI order that prohibits non-functional slack filled packaging and the provisions of the Consumer Act on consumer product quality and safety.

Monitoring teams were dispatched to look out for traders who are trading commodities above the suggested retail price. DTI said it will summon unscrupulous traders who are taking advantage of the holidays to jack up prices.

But the DTI said the government is not denying businesses their right to a fair return of investment. However, the agency said that to sell product at a price that is “in excess of its true worth” is profiteering which is a violation of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.

The DTI is working closely with associations — Philippine Association of Supermarket Inc. (PASI), Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) and the National Market Vendors Confederation of Cooperatives (NAMVESCO) — in seeing to it that prices are stable and any increase is justifiable.

The department said both supermarkets and wet markets are not keen on increasing prices because what they are aiming for is to perk up sales. This is because unnecessarily increasing prices of goods will be a definite loss to the retailer given the competition and a very price-conscious consuming public.

Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary for consumer welfare Zenaida Maglaya advises consumers to be more discriminating when buying by comparing prices and using a shopping list so that they do not go over their budget.

“Together, we are also looking out for vendors who do not place price tags on their products, use inaccurate weighing scales or sell substandard products to the public,” she said.