|
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Trade counts on local monitors to check prices
By Albert B. Lacanlale
CLARK ECOZONE -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is counting on the support of the Local Price Coordinating Councils (LCPCs) to intensify monitoring of prices especially at the local level.
DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya of the Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Group said DTI is making its presence felt in the market to keep an eye on unscrupulous price movements.
"We are doing this with the local price coordinating council chaired by our mayors," she said in a expanded value-added tax (e-VAT) domestic roadshow conducted Friday at the Fontana Convention Center here.
Among the basic necessities that DTI is monitoring are canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergents, candles, bread and salt. Prime commodities under its watch are flour; processed and canned pork, beef and poultry meat; noodles, vinegar, patis, soy sauce; paper and school supplies; cement, clinker and G.I sheets; hollow blocks, construction materials; batteries and electrical products; and steel products.
Maglaya admitted that there would likely be movement of prices of manufactured commodities in the coming months, along with the rising prices of fuel and other imported product components.
Once implemented, the e-VAT, which now subjects fuel and electricity to added tax, would also somehow trigger an increase in prices.
Following a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) last July 1, the e-VAT implementation was put off. But the SC recently declared e-VAT as constitutional "in its entirety" even as the SC has yet to lift the freeze order pending any appeal against its ruling.
Maglaya said the DTI had laid down mitigating measures to cushion consumers from the impact not only of the e-VAT, but also the high prices of fuel products.
Aside from making sure that prices are reasonably set through monitoring activities, DTI is also stepping up its enforcement activities especially on price tag laws.
Its personnel on field are also keeping an eye on weighing scales. "Because if weighing scales are not set right, this boils down to paying more than what you should pay for," she explained.
Meanwhile, DTI is looking into how to help retailers and micro entrepreneurs avail of low interest credits so they would be able to keep prices of their sold commodities stable.
It is also promoting alternative generic packaging as it has noted a rise in prices of tin plates used for manufactured goods.
"Now you'd see sardines and corned beef in pouch," she added.
(September 11, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
