Trade official warns consumers against profiteers (Sun.Star, Tuesday, December 18, 2007)

Trade official warns consumers against profiteers
By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- "Be careful of profiteers!"

Consumer welfare regulation officer Erlinda Pineda of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here warned the public on the expected rise of the prices of basic commodities this Christmas season.

According to Pineda, the prices of basic commodities would surely perk up. However, she stressed that such increase is "normal" at the time of such season.

"Prices usually go up on a significant level but so far there hasn't been any complaints received by our office on prices. From what we have observed it seems that consumers now have become more prudent in buying any product for that matter," Pineda said, while quick to add that consumers must still look out for profiteers when buying.

"We understand the predicament of our sellers. They can increase or exceed the allowable 10 percent add on for their profit if the commodities that they have purchased have increased in price," she said warning vendors that they could not exceed the 10 percent price increase allowance if their commodity prices in the general market remains stable."

"If the exceed and could not present proof that the commodity have increased its price before they bought it from their supplier then that could only mean that is a violation -- that is profiteering," she said.

Pineda said consumers may file a complaint at the DTI if they have seen any seller with exorbitant prices.

She advised that consumers may opt to look for other sellers with affordable prices rather than being victims of exorbitantly priced commodities from other sellers.

"So far we do not have a price ceiling on commodities since it is only the President of the country that could impose that. Consumers may always look at other options." Pineda added.

The DTI official said the monitoring of various prices in the market falls under an inter-agency responsibility.

Pineda said they have an unofficial report that the price of chicken in the Pampanga markets has already increased by around P10 per kilo. She said that despite the increase in the prices, the basic commodities would be enough for the season that has food-centered celebrations.