DTI warns retailers against hiking prices of canned goods

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned retailers yesterday against taking advantage of the heavy flooding by increasing the prices of canned goods and noodles, pointing out that these products are not affected by the recent rains.

At the same time, the DTI also warned wet market vendors not to violate the Price Tag Law or tamper with weighing scales.

Trade and Industry Secretary for Consumer Welfare Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said the DTI is intensifying its price and market monitoring to safeguard consumers.

Cristobal has been personally visiting wet markets to monitor the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

His visits also aim to ensure that wet market vendors adhere to the Price Tag Law.

The DTI has also been checking weighing scales in the wet markets to ensure that they reflect the correct weight of goods.

According to Cristobal, "we’re making sure that consumers get the right value for their hard earned money."

Cristobal admitted that while some unscrupulous vendors might not have increased their prices substantially, they could have been underweighing their goods instead, which is illegal.

Cristobal explained that under the Price Tag Law, proper price tags must indicate the amount per unit. He added that merely placing P50, for example, instead of P50 per kilogram is against the law.

He also advised consumers that if they doubt the vendor’s weighing scale, they should look for the market master and complain to ensure that the weighing scale is properly calibrated.

Cristobal clarified that the recent rains have only affected the prices of vegetable and fish whose deliveries were disrupted by the floods and heavy downpour.