THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in a statement, warned retailers who jacked-up their prices of face masks and gas masks to take advantage of the surge in demand due to the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.
Teams have been dispatched to monitor and observe movement of retail prices of masks in the market.
The DTI has issued to notice to retailers that those found to have unreasonably increased their prices for gas masks, face masks and other similar items which act is considered tantamount to profiteering, shall be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
The department said that prices of manufactured basic necessities and prime commodities shall also remain unchanged as of the published September 30, 2019 suggested retail price bulletin.
The DTI assured that it will not hesitate to file administrative and criminal charges against unscrupulous business entities and individuals who capitalize on the consumers’ need for their own profit. (SunStar Philippines)