No down payment for ER cases

Q. Jaime San Jose of Bacoor, Cavite writes: "My daughter, Christine James, is on the ‘quarterm’ of her first year at Anacay University. Since her educational plan does not have arrangements with said institution, I advanced the money for her tuition. Then, I requested a reimbursement from the pre-need company. To my horror, they denied it! What can I do? I paid good money for my daughter’s educational plan and now I have to pay double? Is there a law that punishes such pre-need companies?"

A. You certainly can go after the pre-need company. Here are the remedies open to you under Securities Code 8799. Your first alternative is settlement. File a complaint with the complaints desk of the pre-need company. (All pre-need companies are required to have such desks). If that is going nowhere, your second alternative is to file a formal complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Address your complaint to Director Emilio Aquino.

Q. Andy Esimos of Malate writes: "Yesterday, I bought a book at a bookstore in Makati. When I was about to pay, the cashier saw two price tags on the book. She promptly informed me that they just forgot to remove the lower value. She then proceeded to punch the higher price. Since I didn’t want to argue, I just paid and left. However, I know that in case of price discrepancies, the lower price prevails. Am I right?"

A. Yes, you are. According to the Price Tag Law (RA 7394), all consumer products sold in retail to the public should bear the appropriate price tag. These tags should be clearly written, stating the price of the commodity in pesos and centavos. There should also be no erasures on the price tags. Erasures and alterations are allowed only in price reduction sales promotion campaigns. First time violators of the Price Tag Law are subject to a fine of up P5,000. They may also be imprisoned for a maximum of six months. Depending on the gravity of the case, violators may be punished with both. With a second conviction, the business permit and license are revoked.

Q. Sammy Aspacio of Quezon City writes: "We rushed my wife to the emergency room as she was about to give birth. However, a hospital attendant blocked our way to the emergency room, and demanded a down payment. Luckily, my sister-in-law brought her credit card with her and we were able to give the needed amount. Are hospitals allowed to demand down payments before attending to emergency cases?"

A. No hospital should ask for a down payment before treating emergency cases. However, they may ask for a deposit prior to admission and after the patient has been initially treated. Complaints against these hospitals may be filed with the Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Please address your complaint to Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit.

(You may send your consumer complaints and comments to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, DTI Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. DTI’s consumer hotlines are 896-5740 or 890-4932 and www.e-reklamo.net.ph)