00:00 Price monitoring of DTI on the entry of LANINIA to the country.
00:05 We will talk with Consumer Protection Group Assistant Secretary,
00:10 Attorney Amanda Nugrales of the Department of Trade and Industry.
00:14 Asek Nugrales, good afternoon to you.
00:17 Hello, good afternoon to you.
00:21 Asek, on the entry of LANINIA to the country,
00:25 how will DTI price monitor the price of basic commodities?
00:31 What are your goals here for now?
00:34 Yes, for now, especially now that LANINIA is entering,
00:39 we are doing the price monitoring of DTI very diligently nationwide.
00:46 So now, we will intensify our efforts in price monitoring,
00:51 hoarding and any other acts of illegal price manipulation.
00:57 DTI price monitors will catch them and they will be charged with a serious crime.
01:04 Aside from that, we are coordinating with local government units
01:09 for the reactivation of what we call LPCCs, local price coordinating council.
01:17 We have monitors who will help us monitor the price of goods at the LGU level.
01:25 Third, to help our consumers to control the price of goods and ensure that our supply is stable,
01:38 we have efforts to maintain the price of basic necessities and prime commodities.
01:45 Some manufacturers have asked DTI to reduce the voluntary price over basic necessities and prime commodities.
01:55 So those are the efforts of DTI in the face of LANINIA.
02:02 Asek, one of your goals in price monitoring is the DILG.
02:08 How is your coordination with their local price coordinating council to maintain the compliance of the stores?
02:18 So far, we were advised that over 1,000 LPCCs are reactivated.
02:26 It is not fully operational yet, but once it is activated,
02:32 our reactivation rate is around 87%.
02:36 So from our understanding, once everything is reactivated and operational,
02:44 we will help them monitor the prices in supermarkets, grocery stores, and markets.
02:54 So now, Asek, are price control measures still enforced in places that are in a state of calamity due to the effects of El Nino?
03:03 Yes. In fact, we have two municipalities that before we put them under automatic price freeze,
03:14 this is in Bukidnon, those are two areas due to El Nino.
03:19 The automatic price freeze started on May 13, so it will last for 60 days.
03:27 Asek Negrales, for our countrymen, if there are hoarders or price manipulators who do not follow your regulations,
03:40 what is the possibility of facing them?
03:43 First of all, if there are hoarders or any other act of illegal price manipulation,
03:52 that is a violation under the Price Act.
03:55 There is a penalty and it depends on whether they can file a case with the prosecutor or they can be jailed.
04:03 That violation will be justified.
04:06 We in DTI, if we see something like that, we will investigate it.
04:11 So we will issue a notice of violation first because that is a violation of the Price Act.
04:21 Attorney, in other talks, how is your latest cooperation with the manufacturers?
04:27 What are the basic commodities and products that can raise the price today?
04:33 Okay. The cooperation with the manufacturers and retailers, DTI is doing it regularly.
04:41 So our last cooperation was very successful.
04:45 Secretary Pascual attended. He is the one who is coordinating with the manufacturers and retailers.
04:52 The voluntary price freeze was a result of this.
04:56 Currently, we have five major manufacturers that said that the price of their products that they sell will not move.
05:05 So for the guidance of consumers, we will issue a price guide that we will freeze all items that will not move,
05:16 voluntarily on the part of manufacturers for a period of 60 days.
05:21 We also discussed with the manufacturers and retailers about the changes to our SRP bulletin or suggested retail price bulletin.
05:33 If you remember, we had an issue of shrinkage before.
05:38 So as a help to our consumers, the SRP bulletin that will be issued, we will put a unit cost of the products.
05:48 It means that we can see the price of the products per gram, per ml, per unit cost.
05:56 This will be our mark to know if the price is rising or not moving but the weight is decreasing or the price is decreasing but the weight is decreasing.
06:10 So now, when the unit cost is indicated, consumers will be able to compare the price of the products.
06:18 Okay, Asec Negrales, to the manufacturers that decided that the price will not increase until when will this last?
06:27 And can you give us some products that were given an advisory that the price will not increase?
06:34 Yes. So the start date of the manufacturers is different. It depends on when they announced it in the DPI.
06:42 But in general, some of them are effective until July 10, while others are effective until June 30.
06:50 Their effectivity dates are different.
06:54 Included in our voluntary price freeze are processed meat. We have processed meat items.
07:01 We have processed milk items. We have bottled water. We have instant noodles.
07:08 So those are the items that are included.
07:12 In other talks, Asec, there is a question from the GMA News Desk.
07:18 It is now time for travel and there are people who are victims of travel scams.
07:23 Maybe we have a reminder and how can we file a complaint against you in DTI?
07:31 And what steps can DTI take against these scammers?
07:37 Usually, travel scams are when we book and when we arrive at the hotel or location,
07:47 the person who will accompany us will not arrive or we will not be able to avail the package that we were paid for.
07:53 That is a consumer protection issue.
07:56 Our warning to our consumers is to book or transact with legitimate travel agents or providers that you know are registered in DTI or SEC, registered in BIR.
08:13 We will look at their permits.
08:15 Before we pay, we will make sure that we are in the correct payment instructions where we will pay.
08:24 If we paid, what should we expect when we paid?
08:29 Should we give an electronic copy of the ticket or our reservation in our accommodation?
08:35 Finally, to those who buy online, check the reviews.
08:40 You can see in the reviews if there are any complaints about the seller of tickets or reservations in their accommodation.
08:52 But if our consumers are still being victimized by these travel scams, they can complain to DTI.
09:02 We will email you at consumercare@dti.gov.ph.
09:08 Okay. As I'm grabbing this, there is another question from GMA News Desk.
09:12 Has DTI received any complaints about travel scams?
09:18 And if there are, how many are these?
09:21 Yes, we have received complaints about travel scams.
09:28 Their complaints are different.
09:32 Sometimes, they arrive at the location and they don't honor their booking.
09:37 Sometimes, they say it's first class or it's very nice when they book, but it's not.
09:44 For us, we file a notice of violation and then go through mediation and prosecution.
09:54 As to the exact number of pending, we have to get back to you on that.
09:59 Because every day, it adds to our DTI. The updated numbers are changing.
10:05 But we cannot say that there are many travel scams because it's seasonal.
10:11 During the summer, there are many travel scams.
10:14 During the vacation, there are many travel scams.
10:18 But the numbers are different at any one point.
10:21 So we'll get back to you on the exact number.
10:24 Alright, Ms. Sahe. And please remind our consumers from DTI.
10:31 Okay. Thank you so much for inviting me.
10:36 Our reminder as consumers is to always be vigilant and be careful especially those who buy online.
10:44 If we have complaints or any issues that you want to discuss with us at DTI,
10:50 we are open to receive them.
10:52 We are just emailing at consumercare@dti.gov.ph
10:57 Thank you so much for your time, Consumer Protection Group Assistant Secretary,
11:03 Attorney Amanda Nograles of the Department of Trade and Industry.
