The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues its tight watch on the price and supply situation of basic goods and prime commodities in the market with Secretary Peter B. Favila assuring the public that the government remains on top of the situation.
“We are fervently working on our petition to China’s Trade Ministry for at least 150,000MT flour allocation to the Philippines. As soon as the allocation is granted we will fast track testing for immediate release to markets in order to ease the price situation.”
Studies are also underway on the possibility of coconut flour as substitute to wheat flour. “We will be meeting with coconut growers and flour millers soon to come up with the best way to develop this new venture,” said Favila.
On the other hand, the Trade Secretary announced that aside from the 2.2 million metric tons of rice that the National Food Authority (NFA) was authorized to import, the government is also expecting domestic yield to increase by seven percent this year to boost supply, thus ease the price, which is a good news to the public.
In addition, intensified monitoring and strict enforcement against the diversion of NFA rice is also in earnest with Favila issuing a warning to hoarders and profiteers. “The government will not just issue warnings or notices. We will make sure that arrests are made and appropriate charges are filed.”
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya advised consumers to always refer to DTI Price Billboards in determining the latest prevailing prices of processed commodities such as canned fish and meat, instant noodles, powdered milk and coffee; and agricultural products such as rice, meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.
“We have coordinated with market masters to daily update the DTI Price Billboards to make sure that they register the correct prevailing prices, and ordered local DTI representatives to verify the accuracy of data posted. Moreover, we will be publishing price guides in newspapers to inform consumers where prices are low so that they can exercise their right to choose and buy products that suit budget the best,” shared the Undersecretary.
Currently, a total of 216 price billboards have already been set up by DTI; 53 of these were allocated to Metro Manila, 26 to Region III, and 21 to Region IV-A. DTI’s regional and provincial offices, with the support of local government units (LGUs) in their respective areas, were able to install 142 price billboards comprising of 79 in Region I, and 63 in Regions II, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XII and CAR.
Furthermore, DTI continues to protect consumers by increasing market visibility to check on retailers refusing to place price tags on their products and assist LGU officials in the crackdown versus faulty weighing scales.
Undersecretary Maglaya said that consumers deserve to get the value of their hard-earned money and that short-weighing goods are a violation of the Consumer Act’s provisions on weights and measures. She urged the public to make use of the Timbangan ng Bayan to ensure that weighing scales in the market are properly calibrated.
The Trade department has enjoined the assistance of consumer advocates, civil society groups, NGOs/labor unions, among others to participate in the intensified monitoring and enforcement activities. The agency has also activated hotlines and consumer complaints desks in various government agencies and LGUs to act on complaints.
The DTI also encourages the public to report complaints in price and/ or quality, NFA rice diversion, hoarding and profiteering activities to DTI Direct 751-3330 open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or call the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial offices. Complaint may also be sent by keying in DTImessage and send to 2920 for both Globe and Smart subscribers. (Charlie S. Dajao DTI Region IV-A PIO)
“We are fervently working on our petition to China’s Trade Ministry for at least 150,000MT flour allocation to the Philippines. As soon as the allocation is granted we will fast track testing for immediate release to markets in order to ease the price situation.”
Studies are also underway on the possibility of coconut flour as substitute to wheat flour. “We will be meeting with coconut growers and flour millers soon to come up with the best way to develop this new venture,” said Favila.
On the other hand, the Trade Secretary announced that aside from the 2.2 million metric tons of rice that the National Food Authority (NFA) was authorized to import, the government is also expecting domestic yield to increase by seven percent this year to boost supply, thus ease the price, which is a good news to the public.
In addition, intensified monitoring and strict enforcement against the diversion of NFA rice is also in earnest with Favila issuing a warning to hoarders and profiteers. “The government will not just issue warnings or notices. We will make sure that arrests are made and appropriate charges are filed.”
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya advised consumers to always refer to DTI Price Billboards in determining the latest prevailing prices of processed commodities such as canned fish and meat, instant noodles, powdered milk and coffee; and agricultural products such as rice, meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.
“We have coordinated with market masters to daily update the DTI Price Billboards to make sure that they register the correct prevailing prices, and ordered local DTI representatives to verify the accuracy of data posted. Moreover, we will be publishing price guides in newspapers to inform consumers where prices are low so that they can exercise their right to choose and buy products that suit budget the best,” shared the Undersecretary.
Currently, a total of 216 price billboards have already been set up by DTI; 53 of these were allocated to Metro Manila, 26 to Region III, and 21 to Region IV-A. DTI’s regional and provincial offices, with the support of local government units (LGUs) in their respective areas, were able to install 142 price billboards comprising of 79 in Region I, and 63 in Regions II, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XII and CAR.
Furthermore, DTI continues to protect consumers by increasing market visibility to check on retailers refusing to place price tags on their products and assist LGU officials in the crackdown versus faulty weighing scales.
Undersecretary Maglaya said that consumers deserve to get the value of their hard-earned money and that short-weighing goods are a violation of the Consumer Act’s provisions on weights and measures. She urged the public to make use of the Timbangan ng Bayan to ensure that weighing scales in the market are properly calibrated.
The Trade department has enjoined the assistance of consumer advocates, civil society groups, NGOs/labor unions, among others to participate in the intensified monitoring and enforcement activities. The agency has also activated hotlines and consumer complaints desks in various government agencies and LGUs to act on complaints.
The DTI also encourages the public to report complaints in price and/ or quality, NFA rice diversion, hoarding and profiteering activities to DTI Direct 751-3330 open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or call the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial offices. Complaint may also be sent by keying in DTI
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