Report overpriced face masks, alcohol and medical supplies to authorities – DTI

DTI Iloilo OIC-Provincial Director Felisa Judith L. Degala (extreme right) checks on the prices of basic necessities at a local supermarket in Iloilo City.

The DTI Iloilo Provincial Office conducted a price monitoring on some supermarkets in Iloilo City regarding the prices of basic and prime commodities including alcohol, face masks and other medical supplies.

This, after authorities have declared a Code Red alert and imposed a nationwide price freeze on basic necessities amid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

In a statement, the DTI said prices of basic necessities shall be frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days unless lifted by the President as provided under Section6 of R.A. 7581 or the Price Act as amended. The monitoring team was led by OIC-Provincial Director Felisa Judith L. Degala.

Degala warned that any seller who commits any act of illegal price manipulation or violations of Sec.6  or R.A. 7581 shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of up to ten (10) years and a fine of up to two million pesos (P 2,000,000.00).

For online transactions, DTI encourages consumers to patronize online sellers with DTI or SEC registration and mayor’s permit.

Online sellers who have no business permit and are overpricing face masks, alcohol and medical supplies which are under prize freeze may be reported to the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police. (Kurt Maurice Tugaff/ DTI Iloilo)