By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has issued seven notices of violation (NOV) to commercial establishments operating in the towns of San Nicolas and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte.
Senior trade specialist Frances Paguirigan said on Monday that the DTI’s Consumer Protection division conducted compliance checks on existing fair trade laws across 270 trading centers in the province this month.
“This sends a clear message that adherence to fair trade laws is not optional but a responsibility that every business must uphold,” the DTI said in a statement.
The DTI regularly conducts monitoring activities, particularly on compliance with the Price Tag Law, Business Name Law, Service and Repair Enterprise Accreditation Law, Standards Law, and the Consumer Act of the Philippines, among others.
Of the 270 establishments inspected, Paguirigan said one non-compliant retailer was found selling fire extinguishers without Philippine Standard (PS) markings. The DTI sealed at least 10 units of these fire extinguishers, worth PHP58,000, during the inspection.
Meanwhile, six service and repair shop owners were found to have no existing or expired accreditation.
The DTI tightened its monitoring and enforcement of fair trade laws in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure compliance while promoting informed and fair market practices.
The enforcement is pursuant to Republic Act No. 7581 (Price Act), which gives DTI jurisdiction to ensure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain at reasonable levels, and Republic Act No. 71 (Price Tag Law), which requires that all consumer products sold at retail bear an appropriate price tag, label, or marking indicating their prices. Products may not be sold at a price higher than stated on the tag.
Both laws protect consumers from illegal acts of price manipulation, such as hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations.
The law states that erring retailers may be penalized for violating price ceilings with a fine of not less than PHP5,000 and not more than PHP1 million.
For acts of illegal price manipulation —profiteering, hoarding, and cartel— erring retailers may be penalized with a fine of not less than PHP5,000 and not more than PHP2 million.
DTI reiterated that it is the government’s policy to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate businesses a fair return on investment, while also providing effective protection for consumers against illegal price spikes. (PNA)
