Following the heightened consumer protection alert of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this State of calamity declared by President Duterte, the DTI - Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), led by FTEB Director Ronnel O. Abrenica, and the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU) of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), led by PCOL Bayani M. Razalan, conducted an Entrapment Operation on March 20, 2020 against medical establishments located in Bambang, Manila and Sangandaan, Caloocan. The raids were in response to reports or complaints received from several consumers and complaints through Facebook account against establishments from Bambang and Caloocan respectively for alleged overpricing and hoarding of various medical products.
Through a Buy-Bust operation, the establishment in Bambang was caught by DTI-CIDG in the act of selling 60ml Isopropyl Alcohol at PhP80.00 per bottle, which is in disobedience to the Price Freeze issued by the government. Subsequent to the declaration of Public Health Emergency, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a Price Freeze on emergency medicines and medical supplies for the information of the public and for the compliance of retailers concerned. There was also an indication of Hoarding, taking into consideration the presence of signages that there are no available stocks to make it appear that there is shortage. However, contrary to such representation, alcohol products are available for sale to buyers, not to mention the several boxes thereof or volume of stocks discovered by the raiding agencies. In other words, the establishment is trying to depict an “Artificial Shortage.”
In the Bambang operation, the DTI-CIDG recovered 684 pieces of 500ml bottle of Green Cross 40% solution, 72 pieces of 500ml Green Cross 70% solution, 336 pieces of 60ml bottle Green cross alcohol, and 288 pieces of 40ml Green Cross alcohol hand spray amounting to an estimated total of Php231,000.00. The operation ensued in Sangandaan, which led to the arrest of the suspects who were caught in the act of selling overpriced 70% Ethyl Alcohol and the seizure of 83 pcs 500ml Ethyl Alcohol being sold at Php 140.00 each and 48 pcs of 1-liter Ethyl Alcohol being sold at Php 250.00 each with an overall estimated value of Php 23,620.00. All these alcohol products were brought to CIDG-AFCCU for proper documentation and processing.
Meanwhile, the DTI will refer the matter to the Local Government Unit concerned for appropriate action, recommending preferably the closure and cancellation of the Business Permit issued in favor of the retailer subject of the joint operation. Administrative charges shall be filed by DTI while the criminal charges shall be filed by CIDG-AFCCU or jointly with DTI, for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 or the Price Act as amended by RA No.10623 and/or RA No.7394 of Consumer Act of the Philippines. The charges shall also refer to Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency and Article 14 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on Aggravating Circumstances for the imposition of the maximum penalty prescribed by applicable laws.
Secretary Ramon M. Lopez explains, “Price Freeze is strictly implemented, which is why the DTI warns the establishments against taking advantage of the situation, particularly the high demand of alcohol of such nature, by raising their prices in excess of the ceiling provided either under the Automatic Price Control provision of the Price Act or the Price Ceiling set by the DOH.”
Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo reiterates to the consuming public to always check the issued Price Freeze or Price Ceiling on Medical Supplies and report any erring offline or online establishments through our Consumer Care hotline.
For further inquiries, clarifications, and/or complaints, consumers may immediately connect through Consumer Care hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or may email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph
Manila - During the press conference updating the public on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez lauded the “game-changing” measure for bringing down retail prices of regular milled rice and well-milled rice to a seven-year low since the start of its implementation last March 5, 2019.
“From the DTI perspective, we are always after the impact on the consumers. We’ve been watching closely and helping temper prices of rice. We are glad to report that with the Rice Tariffication Law, we really see a huge difference from the record-high average price of regular milled rice at Php41/kg and well-milled rice at Php49/kg in September 2018,” said Sec. Lopez.
Based on data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average price of regular milled rice was recorded at Php36.32/kg while the average price of well-milled rice was at Php41.23/kg during the first three weeks of February. The retail price of regular milled rice was at the lowest since December 2013 when it stood at Php36.18/kg, while the retail price of well-milled rice was at the lowest since May 2016 when it hit Php41.19/kg.
Sec. Lopez even shared that during their price monitoring rounds in groceries and wet markets, he and his team saw well-milled rice prices ranging from Php36 to Php38 per kilo with some selling at Php34/kg when purchasing 10 kilos
The trade secretary expressed optimism that the Law would see the “best to come” in the coming years given the biggest Php10billion fund that will support farmers in improving their productivity and lowering their production cost; thus, increasing their income.
Among the provisions of the Rice Tariffication Law is the Php10-billion Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which provides programs to improve agricultural productivity, competitiveness, and profitability.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar explained that the funds will be used to help mechanize operations, distribute certified seeds, provide trainings, and assist in financing.
According to the Department of Finance (DOF), during the first seven months of implementation until December 2018, the revenues from the imposed tariffs reached Php12.3 billion. Agriculture Secretary Dar reported that the additional Php2.3 billion will be used for crop diversification and insurance that will help farmers increase profits.
“Aside from the direct benefit to consumers and farmers, RTL was instrumental at curbing inflation from the record-high 6.7 percent in October 2018, which was outside the government’s target rate of 2.0-4.0 percent, to 0.8 percent in October 2019, the slowest pace in over three years,” explained Sec. Lopez.
Meanwhile, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla highlighted the impact of rice prices in the overall inflation, reporting that in October 2018, rice inflation was at 10.7 percent while rice inflation in October 2019 was posted at -9.7 percent. In January 2020, headline inflation was recorded at 2.9 percent, well within the government’s target, while rice inflation was posted at -6.5 percent.
“We can see that the benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law are not just felt by consumers, but also by farmers, producers, and the overall economy. Tunay ngang sa Rice Tariffication Law, ang bayan ang panalo,” said Sec. Lopez.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) finally inked deal with Google Philippines in upgrading the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the power of digitalization, creating a strong online presence and training them on digital skills to grow their businesses globally.
Through Google’s MSME Caravan, the goal is to conduct training sessions among MSMEs nationwide so they can be well-informed of the digital landscape, latest consumer insights and tools such as Google My Business, a free online listing on Google maps and Search to help MSMEs connect with more consumers in the digital space.
Google will train MSMEs build their online presence, control their business information, and create a free website and posts.
The series of workshops have already started, training more than 2,780 MSMEs in over 20 cities across eight regions nationwide.
“DTI shares same vision of Google on enhancing the skills of our entrepreneurs to become digital-savvy. That’s why we want to thank Google for this program that lets MSMEs maximize Google My Business to manage their online presence in Google Search and Google Maps. We laud them for their program goal of trying to reach 500,000 businesses by 2020 from the current 125,000 businesses registered in Google My Business,” expressed Trade Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, speaking on behalf of Secretary Ramon Lopez during the launch of MSME Caravan at the Google Philippines Office, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last February 26, 2020.
DTI and Google target to reach more throughout 2020 as empowering MSMEs plays a vital role in driving the economy forward.
“Filipino MSMEs have the drive, the passion and the dedication to succeed. Combine that with the new tools and opportunities of the internet, and there is no limit on what’s possible for them! We hope that the MSME Caravan will help bring on board more trainees, visit more communities, and give more business owners the digital skills they need,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.
QUEZON CITY – The Departments of Trade (DTI), Agriculture (DA), Local Government (DILG), and the Quezon City Local Government conducted a joint price monitoring last 24 February at Mega Q Mart to enforce the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) of ten agriculture products for all Metro Manila markets.
Letters of inquiry were issued to two market vendors of chicken for overpricing and one sugar vendor for the lack of price tags/signages. Vendors have 48 hours to answer these letters or else, they will be given penalties which can range from PHP5,000 to PHP1,000,000, according to the Price Act.
“The effectiveness of the SRP implementation is dependent first on good information campaign and the cooperation among DA, DTI and the DILG with the local government units concerned, since they are the ones who supervise to the market masters in the public markets. For the retailers to comply with the SRP, the market masters must check if the traders entering their markets as well as the retailers are overpricing,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.
“In chicken for instance, if the retail price is PHP 130, the wholesale price from the trader should not be higher than PHP 110 to give the market vendors enough margins to sell at SRP of PHP 130,” he added.
DA Secretary Dar added that the price change from farmgate to retail should not be more than 60%.
Under the DA Administrative Circular 01 issued on 20 February 2020, all Metro Manila markets should follow the SRPs for selected food items, namely: pork (pigue/kasim) – PHP 190; chicken (whole, dressed) – PHP 130; sugar (raw, brown) – PHP 45; sugar (refined) – PHP 50; bangus (cage-cultured) – PHP 162; tilapia (pond-cultured) – PHP 120; galunggong (imported) – PHP 130; garlic (imported) – PHP 70; garlic (local) – PHP 120; and red onion (imported) – PHP 95.
“This is a call to all traders and retailers in all Metro Manila markets. We now have the suggested retail prices for [these] food commodities. The monitoring and surveillance are a multi-government department approach, to include the local government unit concerned. Please, let’s strictly observe the SRP,” said Secretary Dar.
Consumers can report violating retailers to DTI through the 1-DTI (1-384) hotline. Otherwise, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said they can also approach the police or the local action centers of their cities or municipalities.
Aside from the retail price, the three agencies are now looking into enforcing a suggested wholesale price to monitor the traders.
The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Presyong Risonable Dapat (PRD) Program was launched at SM Makati on 21 December to give the public more access to cheaper rice. Consumers can now buy imported well-milled rice at Php 35 per kilo in 230 SM Supermarket, Hypermarket, and Savemore branches in the Greater Manila Area and North Luzon. SM now joins Robinsons Supermarket and Puregold in recently launching the PRD program this month. DTI’s PRD Program, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), allows retailers to directly import rice and sell it at Php 38 per kilo and below. The program also removes traders from the equation as retailers can now source directly the rice and sell them directly in their stores, increasing access points of affordable as well as quality rice varieties. The SM group also announced that the program will be available nationwide by early next year. The launch was led by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez(4th from L) and SM Supermarket President Joey Mendoza (3rd from L). Also present were DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo(leftmost), Assistant Director Lilian Salonga (2nd from L), NFA Director Rex Estoperez (rightmost), Savemore Market President Jojo Tagbo (2nd from R), and SM Hypermarket SVP for Operations Arnold Daluz (3rd from R). Other retailers such as Metro Gaisano and Rustans are set to launch the PRD Program soon.
