The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that Dali Everyday Grocery complied with the suggested retail price (SRP) and Price Tag Law during the agency's inspections earlier this year.
In terms of pricing goods, DTI noted that all 82 Dali branches that were monitored by the agency were found compliant with the SRP and Price Tag Law when it was routinely inspected from January to April this year.
The DTI issued a statement on May 30 as it responded to a complaint raised by consumer rights group Malayang Konsyumer, headed by spokesperson Atty. Simoun Antonio Salinas, last May 20, alleging of "potential deceptive or unfair practices" at Dali stores.
The DTI said it will continue monitoring the hard discount store's activities after receiving the consumer rights group raised concerns on sanitation and defective weighing scales in their stores.
DTI emphasized that it is "actively investigating" the complaint as part of its mandate to protect consumers in adherence to Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act.
The agency added that it has also passed the complaint to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in order to inspect the sanitary regulations and the weighing scale issues.
As of this writing, Manila Bulletin is still trying to get the side of Dali on this matter.
As per RA 7581, the DTI is tasked with monitoring the prices and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) such as canned fish, coffee, bread, salt, and processed milk among others.
DTI issues letter of inquiry to establishments found with stock keeping units (SKUs) priced over the SRP, while show cause orders are given if supermarkets or groceries price goods more than 10 percent above the monitored price.