3 city groceries told to explain

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry- Central Visayas has issued a show cause order (SCO) to three grocery stores in Cebu City for their failure to follow the suggested retail prices for “noche buena” products.

DTI is also set to issue an SCO to four other grocery stores pending the explanation of the stores for committing the same offense.

Zaide Bation, DTI Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Division chief, told The FREEMAN that the three grocery stores and the four other stores were caught in an inspection last week and last Monday, respectively, not following SRP for some products.

“We have to issue SCO so that they have to change their prices and that kanang uban atong gipa-explain kung nganong taas ilang presyo kay sa SRP so kini sila isyuhanan sad nato og SCO,” Bation explained.

SRPs are provided by manufacturers to set retail prices on products and so that consumers are guided on whether the goods sold are overpriced or above the profit margin.

An administrative fine of up to P1 million shall be imposed for violation of the Price Act. Criminal liability for illegal price manipulation may result to imprisonment of not more than 15 years and a maximum fine of P2 million.

DTI has started monitoring prices on noche buena products since October after the DTI-Central Office released its official SRP advisories.

Noche buena products include ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and cream.  DTI’s Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau maintains an SRP verification program to double check if the product prices in the market are reasonable.

Aside from Cebu City, DTI will also monitor grocery and supermarket stores in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay and other neighboring areas next week.

Recently, the Cebu City Council requested the DTI to conduct monitoring of noche buena products through a resolution authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon. (FREEMAN)