DTI-ZDS, FTEB intensifies price monitoring and enforcement of Fair Trade Laws in the province

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 12, 2017) – In line with the Department of Trade and Industry’s mandate to ensure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities are affordable and available to the public and to ensure that the consumers get the best value for their hard-earned money, we would like to inform you, that the staff from the Fair Trade and  Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) are in the province, to work closely with DTI-ZDS Consumer Protection Department in the conduct of intensified price monitoring and Fair Trade Law Enforcements, in light of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao last May 23, by virtue of Proclamation No. 216, s. 2017 of President of the Philippines, Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte. With the proclamation, comes with it is the freezing of the prices of all basic necessities and prime commodities, said Provincial Director Maria Socorro M. Atay, CESO V, DTI-ZDS on Friday (June 9).

Furthermore, as provided in paragraph 3, Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act, “Unless sooner lifted by the President, price control of basic necessities under this section shall remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not more than sixty (60) days”, Atay stressed.

The DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office shall strictly implement the price freeze, and shall intensify price monitoring in the city and other growth areas in the province. We call for business establishment to observe the freeze and that the prices of commodities should be based on the monitoring conducted by the DTI-ZDS price monitoring team to avoid violations and penalties, she added.

Moreover, the FTEB will also monitor product standards, to further ensure that the quality of products is in accordance to the Products Standards Law, to assist consumers in evaluating the safety and performance of consumer products. The consumers are advised to be vigilant and report any violations of the said proclamation.