CITY Price Coordinating Council (CPCC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged business owners and establishments to disclose their prices in compliance with the Fair Trade Laws.
“We are firm in enforcing these laws, especially on the requirement of price tags” said committee chair on Trade and Commerce Councilor George Goking adding that to ensure consumers’ right to choose quality products at reasonable prices.
Also a CPCC member, Goking even reminded the consuming public to double check the price tags with actual prices at the cashiers to ensure the prices of the commodities they are paying.
The Consumer Act of the Philippines or Article 81 of Republic Act No. 7394 which requires appropriate tags, labels, or markings that indicate the prices of retail products.
“We, at the CPCC including the DTI are urging store owners, including online sellers, to comply with this Law,” said Goking.
He said the CPCC and DTI are also tightening its watch over booming e-commerce transactions in this part of the country.
“We are advising business owners and establishments to disclose prices in compliance with the Fair Trade Laws,” Goking said.
With the DTI Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), the online and physical store owners is also compelled to comply with the said Consumer Act, according to Goking.
The Act requires appropriate tags, labels, or markings that indicate the prices of consumer products sold in retail.
“Products must not be sold at higher prices than stated,” Goking explained.
In Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act that stipulates that selling a basic necessity or prime commodity without a price tag is prima facie evidence of profiteering.
Early this week, according to Goking, the CPCC led by it’s co-chairman lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, Xavier University Advocacy Coordinator Nestor M. Banuag, Jr., and the DTI conducted price monitoring of suggested retail prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in different malls and supermarkets in the city.
It was learned that during the inspection prices of canned sardines, powdered milk and condensed, refill coffee, bar soap and mineral water were closely inspected.
The SRPs apply nationwide to both supermarkets and wet markets unless specified, said Goking.
The DTI has again reminded consumers that a certain milk bear brand reduced its weight from 150gm to 135gm, which shall take effect on Aug, 1, 2022. It added the adjustments in the prices of Safeguard from 60gm and 130gm shall also take place on June 6.
“In this time of high prices, we should be vigilant and careful so that the purchasing power of our money will be strengthened,” Goking demanded. (Ben Balce)
