Big jump in complaints vs. online sellers during ECQ --- DTI
Published Jun 11, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellson Quismorio
Filipinos did not take online merchants' overpricing of certain goods during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) sitting down.
Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo (SCREENSHOT / RTVM / MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on figures presented by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo to the House Committee on Trade and Industry Thursday, the number of complaints for online transactions from April to May 2020 hit 8,059.
This is a quantum leap from the 985 recorded complaints by the agency for the first three months of the year.
"Complaints involving online transactions before the peak of ECQ's impact rose by 78.22 percent," Castelo said in her presentation before the panel chaired by Valenzuela City 2nd district Rep. Weslie Gatchalian.
To put in it proper perspective, the total complaints received by DTI for online transactions up to May 2020 (9,044) dwarfs the complaints tally in the past four years combined (5,278).
Castelo said that out of the 9,044 complaints, 7,043 have to do with violations of Republic Act (RA) No.7581 or the Price Act. The 28-year-old law provides consumer protection by stabilizing the price and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities and prescribing measures against undue price increases especially during emergencies.
"Price Act-related complaints, particularly on overpricing, substantially increased from 51 complaints received (in January to March) to 6,992 complaints (April to May)," the DTI official's presentation read.
"However, since products involved such as alcohol, face masks, etc., are not under the purview of the DTI, such complaints were endorsed to other agencies concerned such as the DOH (Department of Health) for appropriate action," it added.
It can be recalled that items like alcohol bottles, hand sanitizers, tissues rolls, and face masks began to flood online selling platforms during the ECQ--but with huge mark up in prices. These items were deemed essential during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and flew off the shelves at brick and mortar stores.
Castelo said complaints involving transactions with Facebook and other online platforms rose by 62.16 percent from the pre-ECQ to the ECQ period.
Asked by Gatchalian if the DTI has been able to file actual charges against these sellers--be it those with overpricing complaints or on account of other alleged offenses---Castelo answered in the negative.
She explained that there are many instances in which the consumer buys from any page or online merchant without finding out who the seller is, the reputation, the track record, and the address if problems arise subsequently.
Only 588 cases out of the 9,044 complaints have been resolved.
Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo (SCREENSHOT / RTVM / MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on figures presented by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo to the House Committee on Trade and Industry Thursday, the number of complaints for online transactions from April to May 2020 hit 8,059.
This is a quantum leap from the 985 recorded complaints by the agency for the first three months of the year.
"Complaints involving online transactions before the peak of ECQ's impact rose by 78.22 percent," Castelo said in her presentation before the panel chaired by Valenzuela City 2nd district Rep. Weslie Gatchalian.
To put in it proper perspective, the total complaints received by DTI for online transactions up to May 2020 (9,044) dwarfs the complaints tally in the past four years combined (5,278).
Castelo said that out of the 9,044 complaints, 7,043 have to do with violations of Republic Act (RA) No.7581 or the Price Act. The 28-year-old law provides consumer protection by stabilizing the price and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities and prescribing measures against undue price increases especially during emergencies.
"Price Act-related complaints, particularly on overpricing, substantially increased from 51 complaints received (in January to March) to 6,992 complaints (April to May)," the DTI official's presentation read.
"However, since products involved such as alcohol, face masks, etc., are not under the purview of the DTI, such complaints were endorsed to other agencies concerned such as the DOH (Department of Health) for appropriate action," it added.
It can be recalled that items like alcohol bottles, hand sanitizers, tissues rolls, and face masks began to flood online selling platforms during the ECQ--but with huge mark up in prices. These items were deemed essential during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and flew off the shelves at brick and mortar stores.
Castelo said complaints involving transactions with Facebook and other online platforms rose by 62.16 percent from the pre-ECQ to the ECQ period.
Asked by Gatchalian if the DTI has been able to file actual charges against these sellers--be it those with overpricing complaints or on account of other alleged offenses---Castelo answered in the negative.
She explained that there are many instances in which the consumer buys from any page or online merchant without finding out who the seller is, the reputation, the track record, and the address if problems arise subsequently.
Only 588 cases out of the 9,044 complaints have been resolved.