Gov’t goes after traders overpricing basic goods

Original Report

MANILA, Philippines—The crackdown on erring store owners continues, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has invited for questioning at least 10 officials of supermarkets allegedly caught selling basic goods above the mandated price ceiling.

The Price Act of 1992’s automatic price control provision was activated last week to prevent unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of the state of calamity.

The government’s price monitoring is so stringent that the Mightee Mart stores in Quezon City and Muntinlupa City have come under fire for allegedly selling a pack of Lucky Me noodles at just 10 centavos above its maximum selling price.

It does not matter whether you’re a small wet market stall or an outlet of a big supermarket chain, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will go after you if you violate the mandated price ceilings.

Trade Assistant Secretary Angel Pelayo, director of the DTI National Capital Region, said her office has already served 63 notices of violation to “erring retail establishments” since the imposition of mandated price ceilings last week.

The NBI submitted a report to Devanadera Wednesday identifying at least four supermarkets allegedly caught selling overpriced products.

Besides Mightee Mart, the NBI said Save More Drug in Zabarte, Quezon City “was caught selling Bear Brand milk (180g) at P71, way above the mandated price ceiling of P49.75.”

A 25-gram pack of Blend 45 coffee was allegedly priced P16.35 against the mandated price of P14.60 at Plaza Fair in Makati, while a 155-gram of Ligo sardines was being sold at P11.60 against the mandated P11.25 at the SM Hypermart in Tunasan.

Devanadera said there will be no more preliminary investigation but the six officers of these establishments who were invited would be turned over to inquest prosecutors.

At the DTI, Pelayo said sardines, laundry detergents, coffee, and instant noodles were among the most common overpriced items.

Wednesday, the DTI NCR group discovered that the Robinsons outlet on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City was selling some products beyond the mandated ceilings.

A 420-gram Champion detergent bar was priced at P20.75 apiece when the ceiling was just P18.80. A 25-gram Café Puro was also overpriced at P31, against the mandated price of P29.50.

But Robinsons Supermarket denied the allegations, saying it was “fully compliant with all price ceilings.”

Credibility:     

0