TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 10 (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry warned of stiff penalty for violators of the price freeze being implemented in entire Bohol while the province is under the state of calamity after Typhoon Seniang.
DTI-7 Regional Director Aster Caberte said monitoring teams have been fielded starting Thursday last week, Jan. 8, to comb all the nooks of Bohol for violators.
The price-freeze covers the basic commodities, but Caberte clarified that it excluded prime commodities like canned goods except sardines and specially branded milk.
Caberte said there was no excuse for the traders as DTI-7 formulated the suggested retail prices in the range that the cost of added inconvenience in hauling and logistics and other added cost in far-flung areas and those made difficult as a result of the calamity were reasonably considered.
DTI-7 expects the establishments to also avoid spiking the prices once the price freeze is lifted, because their consequences are fairly considered in such a way that the level of the suggested retail price or the price ceiling of a commodity is formulated to consider the cost that the inconvenience of the present condition entails on their operation.
This is not the time to take advantage. They should abide by the price freeze because they are given consideration that the price is at the rate that covers the additional expenses in bringing the goods to areas that are difficult to travel, according to Caberte.
The monitoring will be strict, specific and thorough and DTI-7 is serious in running after erring traders, Caberte warned.
This is to protect the consumers and to prevent establishments from taking advantage of the impact of Typhoon Seniang that submerged almost 90 percent of Bohol on Dec. 29.
The fines ranges from not less than P1,000 up to P1 million, depending on the level of offense and a previous violation is an aggravating factor.
“Hopefully, there won’t be any violator, because the administrative fine in the range of not less than P1,000 up to P1 million and for the criminal case, it’s one-year imprisonment,” according to Caberte.
The Boholano DTI-7 regional director encourages consumers to report any violation in their places to the DTI local office.(PNA)