The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) said it is closely watching prices and supply of Undas-related commodities such as candles, flowers, and bottled waters, among others in preparation for the observance of All Saint's Day.

DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, who ordered the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) to lead the nationwide monitoring, emphasized that the DTI is committed to promoting a fair, transparent market, safeguarding consumer interests, and monitoring prices across the country.

“As we simultaneously monitor prices across the country, we reaffirm our dedication to this cause by ensuring that no one feels the burden of high prices of these essential items during this solemn occasion,” he said Thursday, Oct. 26. 

Every year, the DTI-FTEB monitors and inspects the prices of candles and bottled water guided by the Suggested Retail Price (SRP).

In this year’s celebration of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM), Regional and Provincial Offices nationwide conducted simultaneous price and supply monitoring through Oplan Undas Bantay Presyo to ensure fair pricing for candles, flowers, and bottled water, and increase public awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the DTI team, led by DTI Communications Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim Lokin, DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Officer-in-Charge Asst. Secretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco, and DTI FTEB Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali visited Dangwa Market, supermarket, and bus Station to check the prices and supplies of these items.  

The supermarket monitoring revealed lower prices for candles and bottled water.

Meanwhile, the DTI-FTEB issued Letters of Inquiry (LOI) to 10 retailers within the visited bus terminal for selling bottled waters priced at 120 percent higher than the SRP.

The FTEB mandated retailers to provide a written explanation within 72 hours from the receipt of the letter.

Further, one of the ten retailers issued with LOI was also served with a Show Cause Order (SCO) due to the unavailability of a price tag. This firm is expected to submit a written explanation within 48 hours upon receiving of the letter. 

Pascual emphasized that the nationwide sweep aims to prevent unfair or unconscionable pricing practices for consumers and ensure an adequate supply of commodities during this significant time.

“These proactive measures were taken to let the public know that the DTI is here to protect consumers against retailers selling unreasonable prices of commodities, especially during holidays and special occasions where there is a higher demand for certain goods,” he added.

Apart from the Undas-related commodities, the DTI-FTEB weekly monitors the price and supply of basic necessities such as, but not limited to, canned sardines, processed milk, powdered milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water, and candles.

Other prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, paper, school supplies, batteries, flour, cement, galvanized iron (GI) sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires are being monitored.

Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by R.A. 10623, or the Price Act mandates the DTI and other implementing agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate businesses a fair return on investment.