THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging the business sector in Davao Region to strictly follow the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of noche buena products, basic necessities and prime commodities to avoid fines and penalties.
The call has been issued amidst the uproar over rising prices of fuel and other related products which caused a stir among consumers.
Noche buena products include ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta/spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and creamer. Basic necessities include canned sardines, processed milk (condensed, evaporated and powdered), bread, instant noodles, detergent soap, bottled water (distilled, purified and mineral), and candles. Meanwhile, among the prime commodities are luncheon meat, meat loaf, corned beef, beef loaf, condiments (vinegar, patis, soy sauce), toilet/bath soap, and batteries.
Every consumer and businessman must bear in mind that Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, declares that “It is the policy of the State to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return of investment.” Thus, prices of these products must just be within the set SRPs.
Furthermore, DTI’s Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 06, series of 2007 states that a business establishment found guilty of violating the Price Act will also face a minimum of administrative fine of Php20,000 to a maximum of P1,000.000.
DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the agency’s field offices are consistently monitoring business establishments to make sure that they adhere to the set SRPs.
“There will be no let-up in our monitoring of noche buena products, basic commodities and prime commodities as well as fair trade law enforcements to ensure prices and supply situation in the region are stable,” she said.
Depending on the brands, the following are among the set SRPs of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities as of September 1 this year: canned sardines in tomato sauce (155g) P13.25 to P16.50; powdered milk (150g) P43.50 to P73.30; coffee refill 25g) P16.75 to P19.70; coffee refill (50g) P33.50 to P39.75; instant noodles (55g) P6.30 to P7.30; detergent/laundry soap (380g) P16.35 to P21; luncheon meat (165g) P31.50 to P32.50; meat loaf (150g) P16.50 to P19.45; corned beef P26.50 to P36.20; beef loaf (150g) P16.25 to P18.15;
Noche Buena products as of October 3 this year: ham (500g) P137 to P169; fruit cocktail (822g) P49 to P71.50; cheese (165g) P46.50 to P81.30; keso de bola (550g) P279.50 to P410; pasta/spaghetti (500g) P49.15 to P73; elbow and salad macaroni (500g) P55 to P73; and spaghetti sauce (250g) P22 to P27.90.
For the complete list of SRPs of basic necessities, prime commodities and noche buena Products, consumers and establishments may access it from www.dti.gov.ph or they may visit the DTI office nearest them.
Should consumers find the products they are buying non-compliant to the SRPs, or know of any businessman who violates the fair trade laws, they may report such to DTI-Regional Office 11 at telephone number (082) 224-0511 local 417. They may also reach the Field Offices in Davao City, Tagum City (Davao del Norte), Digos City (Davao del Sur), Mati City (Davao Oriental), Nabunturan (Compostela Valley), and Malita (Davao Occidental). (PR)