DTI tightens price monitoring this holiday season

Unscrupulous businessmen out to take advantage of the holiday buying mood by profiteering: BEWARE!

The Department of Trade and Industry is now tightly monitoring prices of prime commodities as the Christmas shopping rush intensifies.

DTI is determined to go after manufacturers and traders who engage in profiteering. Republic Act 1081 or the Price Act prescribes a penalty of imprisonment from five to 15 years and a fine ranging from P5,000 to P2 million for price manipulators.

DTI-Misamis Oriental provincial director Eliza Pabillore said that the department has warned consumers to be responsible and to frequently check the suggested retail price of food and holiday-related products, which are now published by local media and posted in major consumer establishments and some government offices.

Aside from food items, the DTI is also monitoring the quality and safety of Christmas lights and decorations.

Pabillore noted that in the province, prices of food items, including those for noche buena, are still within prescribed ranges. However, if prices rise, DTI will be quick to ask the establishments to justify the increases.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jose Victor Ejercito of San Juan noted that even poor Filipino families make it a point to buy ham, cheese, spaghetti, fruit cocktails and other goods for Christmas feasts and media noche.

“These are Filipino traditions that manufacturers and traders, especially in the spirit of sharing and gift giving, should not take advantage of.”

Ejercito also appealed to traders to keep down the prices of clothing and shoes stable, which he said families usually buy for their children as gifts. He said enough profit can be made anyway because of the increase in the movement of these goods.

“Í know the government does not impose a price ceiling on these items, but retail outlets should not take the occasion to gouge customers. It is the season of giving, but all we ask is for them to moderate the urge to make profit,” he said.

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