DTI-7 asked: Monitor prices of “noche buena” products

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City Council is requesting the Department of Trade and Industry-7 to conduct an extensive monitoring of prices of the “noche buena” products in all grocery and supermarket stores within the city.

City Councilor Alvin Dizon, who authored the resolution, said the go-vernment should protect the consumers from unfair practices of unscrupulous businessmen during holiday season.

 “This is the time when extensive monitoring by the government should be made to protect consumers against unfair and felo-nious practices on overpricing by storeowners of these noche buena products,” the resolution reads.

“The upcoming holiday season is a time when consumer spending is at its utmost high especially on noche buena items,” it added.  Dizon said that one of the mandates of the DTI is consumer welfare protection.

Republic Act No. 7394 also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines declares “it is the policy of the State to protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.”

The measures include protection against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices. The resolution is also urging the DTI-7 to exact strict compliance of the suggested retail price, which must be pos-ted in the establishment for easy reference of consumers, as well as complete information on how and where to report overpricing practices.

Based on earlier reports, the DTI had already issued an official 2014 noche buena price list that would guide consumers during the holidays. The official price list would also notify the traders to follow the price ceilings.

Zaide Bation, consumer welfare chief of DTI Cebu, said after consultations with retailers associations, consumer groups and national agencies, the manufacturers provide the retail prices.

She also assured earlier that the trade agency would further intensify price monitoring activities to make sure the price ceilings are being followed.— (FREEMAN)