DTI monitoring prices of candles, bottled water

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a nationwide monitoring of Undas-related commodities such as bottled water, candles and flowers ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day.

“We at the DTI remain committed to our goal of encouraging a fair and transparent market, one where the interests of consumers are safeguarded,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

The DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), monitors and inspects the prices of candles and bottled water guided by the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) every year ahead of the Undas holiday.

“This year, in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month, regional and provincial Offices nationwide conducted simultaneous price and supply monitoring through Oplan Undas Bantay Presyo to ensure fair pricing for candles, flowers, and bottled water and to increase public awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities,” the DTI said.

In the National Capital Region, the DTI team composed of Communications Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim Lokin, Consumer Protection Group officer in-charge Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco, and FTEB Director Fhillip Sawali visited the Dangwa Market, supermarkets and bus stations to check the prices and supplies of these items.

“The supermarket monitoring revealed lower prices for candles and bottled water,” the DTI said.

Based on the latest SRP bulletin, the prices of bottled mineralized water range from P7.15 to P75, which vary from 330 ml to six liters.

In contrast, the SRP for candles range from P33.42 to P177.71, depending on number of candles per pack.

The stock keeping units for candles come in packs of two, four, six, eight, 10, 12 and 20 pieces.

Meanwhile, the FTEB issued Letters of Inquiry (LOI) to 10 retailers within the visited bus terminals for selling bottled water priced at 120 percent higher than the SRP.

The FTEB mandated retailers to provide a written explanation within 72 hours from the receipt of the LOI.

The DTI said one of the 10 retailers issued with LOI was also served with a show cause order due to the unavailability of price tag.

The erring firm is expected to submit a written explanation within 48 hours from the receipt of the letter.

“The goal of this nationwide sweep is to ensure that consumers in the entire country are not faced with unfair or unconscionable pricing practices and that there is an ample supply of these commodities during this significant time,” Pascual said.

Apart from the Undas-related commodities, the DTI-FTEB weekly monitors 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 other prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, paper, school supplies, batteries, flour, cement, G.I. Sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies and steel wires.

Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by RA 10623, or the Price Act gives the DTI and other implementing agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Energy the mandate of ensuring the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate businesses a fair return on investment.