DTI urges buyers to report stores that don’t follow suggested retail prices

By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent .

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged anew establishments in northern Mindanao to comply with the guidelines and standards set to protect consumers’ rights and welfare. The agency even warned them to strictly follow suggested retail prices (SRPs) especially for basic and prime commodities.

The consumers also reminded to report to their office  if they notice that prices from a certain establishment go beyond from its SRP.

During National Economic and Development Authority quarterly media forum, DTI 10 consumer division protection chief lawyer Fel  Lester Brillantes said that they are closely monitoring the prices of each basic commodities in each establishments here in Region X .

Monitored basic necessities and prime  commodities that Brilliantes are referring are the following: canned sardines, processed milk, condense milk, evaporated milk, powdered milk, coffee, noodles, detergent/laundry soap, flour, process canned beef, process canned pork, vinegar and soy sauce.

Brilliantes said that if consumers have seen that its price is beyond from its SRP its better to take a photo of its item and report it to them .

“Mo go beyond gani na bisag centavo lang, expect a letter from the DTI”, he said.

Any establishment that will be caught over pricing will be held liable for administrative case.

These establishments that Brilliantes are referring were only bakeries, grocery, hardware, manufacturers, and supermarkets. Sari-sari stores are not included.

If find guilty, with first offense these groceries and supermarkets will be liable to pay administrative finds, 2nd offence the finds will be doubled the amount of its first offence, in their 3rd offence, DTI will coordinate with the LGU not to renew the business permits of the offenders.

“Only big establishments”, says Brilliantes. He however reiterated that they have no power to padlock or close a certain groceries and supermarkets.

In their record , establishments that have administrative case due  20 in Bukidnon, 5 in Iligan and also 5 establishment here in Cagayan deOro.

In Cagayan de Oro for an instance, he mentioned Unitop in Cogon who has an administrative case due to over pricing.

In the end , Brilliantes emphasized that if an establishment will be reported unto them with over pricing, it is expected that they will tender a letter on the said store and the store will be given 72 hours to answer the complaint.

For wise price monitoring, we can download in our phones the E-presyo of DTI.