The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) join efforts to support the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s region-wide market inspection initiative, starting from the Agora Public Market in San Juan, Manila, on 21 February 2022.

One with the MMC in upholding consumer rights and welfare, DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Assistant Secretary Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan together with the Department’s price monitoring team attended the event to share expertise in strategic market monitoring.

Francis Zamora, MMC President and San Juan City Mayor, and Romando Artes, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair, called for the support of DTI and DA to ensure that reasonably priced and quality basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) are within the reach of consumers in the Metro.

The joint market inspection confirmed that the Agora Public Market has accurate weights and measures. However, the DA issued a Notice of Violation to two (2) stalls selling imported red onions at prices ranging from Php15.00 to Php75.00 higher than the Php125.00 approved Suggested Retail Price (SRP) stated in the DA Administrative Circular no. 05, Series of 2023, dated 06 February 2023.

During the inspection, Mayor Zamora expressed the commitment of both the MMC and San Juan City to expand market monitoring efforts within Metro Manila so that more consumers will have access to affordable commodities.

“The Department of Trade and Industry welcomes and appreciates working with other agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units such as the San Juan City Government. Working across boundaries truly brings us closer to our common goal – ang mahigpit na mabantayan ang presyo at suplay, at siguruhing sapat, mura, at de kalidad ang pangunahing bilihin para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” ASec. Atty. Cabochan underscored.

The DTI monitoring teams then proceeded to inspect a supermarket within the vicinity. Through the tight price watch, the monitoring teams affirmed the compliance of the supermarkets with the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) Bulletin released by the DTI on 08 February 2023, as well as the requirement of appropriate price tags on products.

Out of the Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) that the monitored firm carries, 69 were priced within the SRP level while five (5) were priced even lower than the SRP in the latest bulletin.

Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, as amended, mandates implementing agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure stable prices and supply of BNPCs.

The DTI, as one of the implementing agencies of the Price Act, as amended, and with the DTI Secretary as the Chairperson of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), is mandated to coordinate and rationalize government programs aimed at stabilizing prices and supplies of BNPCs.

The DTI launched similar programs that also promote market monitoring to address issues of profiteering, hoarding, and other artificial shortages that affect prices; and ensure the availability of other alternative products to BNPCs in the event of a supply shortage.

One of which is the “Ikot Palengke” program manned by the price monitoring task force of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB).

Since its launching on 23 November 2022, “Ikot Palengke” has made rounds to check the: (1) prices and supply of processed and agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs); (2) accuracy of weights and measures; and (3) appropriate price tags in several wet markets and supermarkets within the National Capital Region (NCR).

The DTI-FTEB conducts weekly monitoring of 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, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, batteries, flour, cement, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires.

The DTI urges consumers to report violators through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

Date of release: 28 February 2023