Amidst the issue on over pricing of emergency medicines and medical devices being sold online, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Palawan encourages Palaweños to report abusive sellers for them to take the necessary actions.
DTI Palawan spokesperson Percival Narbonita pointed out that the cooperation of the public to curve the alleged unlawful behavior of some sellers is very important.
“Hindi basta-basta na magnegosyo na ang kita ay lagpas sa Price Freeze….‘Pag nag-declare ang Presidente, sa ngayon may Proclamation No. 922 na declaring the entire Philippines under the State of Public Health Emergency, automatic na may price control ‘yan under ng Price Act. Kaya ‘pag may declaration ang presidente at na-found out ang isang tindahan, halimbawa kinabuksan nag-angat siya [ng presyo ng mga paninda niya], pwede siyang kasuhan,” Narbonita said.
This week, several individuals raised their concerns over the alleged selling of alcohol products online that costs almost half of its original price. This scenario, accompanied with panic buying is a nationwide occurrence as the case of pandemic Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines increased.
This situation led for the FDA to issue a circular and the DTI to issue a reminder anchored on DOH Memorandum No. 2020-0058 and Memorandum No. 2020-0058-A that prescribed the price selling/ range during the Price Freeze.
DTI Provincial office spokesperson reiterates that for a complaint to become a full blown case, the complainant should submit an affidavit, testify during the hearings, and provide the details about the defendant and evidences such as screenshots, receipts, et cetera.
“Sa online, kailangan namin kayo para ma-pinpoint kung sinu-sino ‘yung mga nag-online dealing para pwede nating isyuhan ng Notice of violation. Kasi ‘yung online kasi, walang address ‘yan, di natin alam kung sinu-sino sila,” Narbonita added.
“Sana matulungan n’yo kami. Hikayat natin ang mga mamimili na sila mismo [ang magsumbong], hindi ‘yung puro social media ipo-post lang eh wala namang basehan,” he said.
The DTI-Palawan official likewise said that everyone can file a complaint through an electronic mail of their agency.
“Ang nakalagay naman sa directive natin, ‘pag mayroong mga ganyan even online, ‘pag feedback
Ipagbigay-alam ang complete name ng tao na nagdi-deal online, tao man o tindahan, contact number nila, complete address kasi paano kami magsi-send ng notice kung hindi namin kilala ang kakasuhan?” he further stated.
He also appealed to the community to become a responsible consumer and be sensitive enough to the needs of their fellowmen.
“Tingnan nila ‘yung tinatawag na social responsibility na kung bibili ka, ‘yung pangangailangan mo lang, sapat [lang]. Tingnan din natin ‘yung ibang tao na bibili sila. Tapos kung sila naman ‘yung magtitinda [ng mahal], sinasabi nating mag-back-out sila kasi they are taking advantage to the situation na…binibili nila ng ganito [lang ka mura], binabenta nila ng P100. Grabe na ka-exceed, talagang aggravating [circumstances] ‘yun. Kung may makasuhan niyan, iiyak talaga,” Narbonita said.
He added that the penalty for the violating the “Consumer Act of the Philippines” or the RA 7394 may range from P5,000 to P1,000,000, apart from the criminal case.
Chapter I of the said law deals with “Deceptive, Unfair and Unconsciounable Sales Acts Practices.” The Article 50 of Consumer Act focuses on “Prohibition Against Deceptive Sales Acts or Practices,” the Article 51 on “Deceptive Sales Act or Practices by Regulation,” while the Article 52 is on “Unfair or unconscious Sales Act or Practices.”
“Sabagay sa mga leading stores natin, simula Jan. 30 kami nag-iikot, pasalamat nga tayo na walang pagbabago [sa presyo ng mga Basic and Prime Commodities]. Even nga sa [presyo ng mga] alcohol sa mga leading stores, wala pong pagbabago,” he said.
Narbonita also clarified to the Palaweños that when his team roamed around the City yesterday as part of their monthly activities, he also asked the store owner if there is a panic buying for alcohol and other COVID-19-related commodities.
“Yung iba bumibili ngunit hindi naman umano daan-daang karton. Nakikita naman sa computer nila, may mga maramihang pagbili ngunit may mga tindahan naman umano kaya pinagbigyan ng malalaking tindahan dahil suki na nila,” he explained.
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