(L-R) FTEB Director Fhillip D. Sawali and Parañaque Consumer Welfare Office OIC Ms. Millan Alcaraz and FTEB Surveillance and Monitoring Division (SMD) monitors during the price monitoring activity

Parañaque City, Philippines––The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched “SWEEPtember” in its commitment to safeguard consumers and ensure the availability of affordable essential goods.

Due to the recent surge of tropical cyclones, the month-long initiative intensified the monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities in the wet markets and supermarkets in the National Capital Region.

“As we are expecting more tropical cyclones to hit this month, our priority is to guarantee that the public has access to affordable and safe products. This aligns with one of the priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration to ensure the affordability and accessibility of basic necessities and prime commodities under a Bagong Pilipinas,” said DTI Acting Secretary Cristina Roque.

“Our ongoing collaboration with local price councils helps us maintain fair pricing, protecting consumers from profiteering while also supporting legitimate businesses,” the trade chief added.

As part of Secretary Roque’s agenda for her first 100 days as the Chairperson of the National Price Coordinating Council, the DTI began the “SWEEPtember” operations in Parañaque City.

Led by DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Fhillip Sawali, alongside Parañaque Consumer Welfare Office Officer-in-Charge Ms. Millan Alcaraz and La Huerta Public Market Master Mr. Rey Jose, eight market stalls and a grocery store were inspected in La Huerta Public Market.

The DTI found the area to be fully compliant with fair trade practices and verified the accurate calibration of the public market’s “Timbangan ng Bayan.”

Director Fhillip Sawali checks the accuracy of the ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ at the Parañaque public market

“Price monitoring remains a core duty of the DTI. We are committed to safeguarding consumer rights by ensuring that basic necessities and prime commodities are consistently available at fair and reasonable prices at all times, especially during emergencies,” FTEB Director Fhillip Sawali said.

“The DTI’s role in the market is not just about enforcement but also about helping businesses stay compliant, preventing unfair trade practices,” FTG Supervising Head Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero added.

As of 04 September, the DTI has issued 50 Notices of Violations (NOVs) to businesses that failed to comply with the price freeze on basic goods, following the declaration of state of calamity in NCR last 25 July 2024.

Businesses issued with NOV are given a forty-eight (48) hour window from receipt of the notice to submit a written explanation for their non-compliance.

In accordance with Section 6 of the Price Act (RA 7581), 60-day price freeze is automatically implemented in areas under a state of calamity or emergency unless lifted earlier. This measure aims to safeguard consumers from price increases in the wake of the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Business who are found to sell goods above prevailing prices may face stringent penalties, including fines of up to PHP 1 million and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years.

The DTI-FTEB closely monitors the price and supply of basic necessities such as, but not limited to, canned sardines, processed milk, powdered milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water, and candles; and prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, toilet soap, paper, school supplies, batteries, flour, cement, galvanized iron sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires.

The DTI encourages consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs or uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or via email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 18 September 2024

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