The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- MIMAROPA Region, through its Consumer Protection Division, has intensified field monitoring activities, recording over 1,000 firms and establishments covered for Q1, amidst the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the joint inspection report from January to March, 2021 by DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), all 423 establishments monitored comply with the government-mandated minimum health and safety protocols.
These monitoring activities are part of the preventive and precautionary measures implemented by DTI to help stop the spread of the coronavirus while boosting economic activities.
Of the said number, 56 establishments monitored were in Occidental Mindoro, 217 in Oriental Mindoro, 35 in Marinduque, 10 in Palawan, and 105 in Romblon. Majority, or 236 of these establishments are restaurants and fast-food chains, 84 businesses offering personal care services, 74 essential stores, and 29 other establishments.
On the other hand, as of the same quarter, DTI MIMAROPA reported an 85% compliance rate of firms monitored on prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC). In Occidental Mindoro, 67% of the 99 establishments monitored were found adhering to the suggested retail price (SRP) of BNPC, while Oriental Mindoro reported a 96% compliance rate out of the 275 firms monitored, a 78% compliance rate out of 109 firms in Marinduque, a 98% compliance rate of the 275 firms in Palawan, and 86% of the 202 firms monitored in Romblon complying. This is in accordance with the Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act.
Non-compliant firms were issued a letter of inquiry (LOI) and asked to submit a formal letter explaining the non-compliance and were closely monitored by the agency to immediately correct their prices. According to their response letters, their prices are above the set SRPs because of the high transportation and overhead cost incurred as supported by bills of ladings and invoices.
Even with the provinces under the Modified General Community Quarantine, where measures are less stringent according to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), DTI-MIMAROPA Regional Director (RD) Joel B. Valera guarantees that the inspectors continue to intensify monitoring rounds in firms and establishments in the region to ensure public safety and consumer protection conditions are in place. ♦
Date of Release: 19 April 2021
