DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the business establishments, particularly the groceries and supermarkets, must strictly follow the latest set of SRPs to avoid the imposition of penalties. The Noche Buena products are the ingredients or food items that are frequently served during Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.
Ambi said that based on the newly released SRP bulletin, it is worth noting that most prices have remained the same. She further shared that while other products have posted an increase, this is only minimal.
“If you compare the current SRPs with their 2020 level, it can be observed that most products on the list have remained to be the same. And if there is any increase, it is very minimal. Hence, it shows that we have a stable supply of these products in our local market,” she said.
She said the 2021 “SRP Bulletin: Mababang Presyo Para sa Inyo Ngayong Pasko” is effective starting last November 23, which means that the concerned business establishments are not allowed to sell the identified Noche Buena products beyond the prescribed SRPs from the said date.
Ambi said if they go above the prescribed prices, the DTI Provincial Office in their area will deal with them according to the provisions of the Price Act.
“With the new SRP Bulletin for Noche Buena products, they are mandated to follow since this is already the legal basis of DTI in determining if there is a prima facie evidence, or if there is a probable cause, for us to declare that a violation has really been committed,” she said.
The local trade official added that the DTI offices throughout the region will continue to do regular rounds among the business establishments in their respective areas of jurisdiction. This is to ensure that consumers will get their money’s worth and enjoy the holiday season without overspending.
Meanwhile, Ambi said she advised the public to shop in advance for non-perishable products to avoid the holiday rush. Likewise, she reminded everyone to stay vigilant by checking the price tags based on the SRP list of the consumer products they are buying. They need to read the labels carefully and compare the prices of different brands as well.
“Rest assured that DTI will always stay true with our commitment to protect the consumers. While we do regular monitoring of several products, we would like to request the public to file a formal complaint if they have witnessed or experienced any violation of their rights as consumers,” she said.
The 2021 Noche Buena products’ SRP Bulletin can be accessed from the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph. For inquiries, the consumers may contact the official social media page of the nearest DTI office, or seek the assistance of the Facebook page DTI Region 11.
The monitoring team of DTI-Davao City has been making rounds to check the prices of Noche Buena products in the city. The other provincial offices of DTI 11 has been doing the same since the new SRP was released. Photo from DTI11
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