DTI MisOr reports violations by some retailers
The Cagayan de Oro City Price Coordinating Council advises consumers the price freeze on basic commodities is still in effect and warns erring retailers violators will be penalized.
DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, which co-chairs the CPPC headed by Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy, reported during the council’s 3rd quarterly meeting their office has been advised by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), also chaired by DTI, the price freeze over basic necessities was retained following a meeting held 27 Sept 2016 at the Board of Investments Building in Makati City.
3rd Quarter General Membership Meeting hosted by the CEED Office
“We have been monitoring local retailers for violations of the price freeze on basic commodities,” reported Christine Laurente of DTI MisOr who represented Provincial Director Eliza Pabillore in the CPCC meeting held 30 Sept 2016 at the City Economic Enterprise Department office in Cogon Market. ‘We have identified some violations and called the attention of the erring retailers who have subsequently complied with the price freeze on basic commodities.”
Reports presented by the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Health, Environment and Natural Resources, and the DTI showed stable prices and adequate supply of basic goods following the President’s declaration of a “National State of Lawlessness”.
Presidential Proclamation No. 55 was issued by the President last 06 September 2016 declaring the entire country under State of Lawlessness following continuing violence in Mindanao.
“For the past few months, we have been observing that competition is at play even in the Mindanao region. Seeing stability in the market amidst the declaration of State of National Emergency, the Council is recommending a status quo on the implementation of the price freeze,” said Undersecretary Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua who heads the DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG).
As a result, the price freeze over basic goods has been retained pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 (Price Act, as amended by RA 10623).
The price freeze stays in effect for sixty (60) days for basic goods, and fifteen (15) days for household LPG and kerosene, from the date of declaration or until lifted by the President.
“Price freeze on basic goods remains to be in effect except for the 15-day price freeze on household LPG and kerosene which lapsed last 19 September 2016. However, the price freeze on all basic goods in Batanes remains due to the declaration of a State of Calamity following Typhoon Ferdie,” Pascua said.
The DTI, DA, DOH, DOE and the members of the NPCC will continue its prices and supply monitoring activities to ensure consumers’ access to reasonable goods in the market.
The DTI enjoins the retailers to comply with the price freeze while consumers are advised to be guided by the price freeze list in their respective areas in making their purchases.
Penalties for violating the price freeze include a fine of at least P5,000.00 to P1,000,000.00 and/or imprisonment of one (1) to ten (10) years.
The price freeze for basic necessities will lapse on 03 November 2016, unless otherwise ordered by the President.
For more information on the price freeze list and/ or to report retailers that sell above the frozen prices and SRPs, call the DTI Direct 751.3330 / 0917.8343330 or visit your nearest DTI provincial office. Additional information may be found in the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph. (CPCC)
-30-