THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Bantay Presyo Task Force (BPTF) tasked to monitor prices of basic agricultural commodities is being strengthened to protect consumers from cartels, hoarders and profiteers.
The DA is enforcing both the suggested retail price (SRP) policy and the price freeze for a period of 60 days.
“Sadly, despite our repeated appeal, many retailers still do not follow the SRP and price freeze on agri-fishery products, taking advantage of consumers in this time of crisis… With a stronger BPTF, we hope to apprehend erring retailers, unscrupulous traders and hoarders and file appropriate charges against them for violating the Price Act,” said DA Secretary William Dar.
The DA said violators of the Price Act will be fined between P5,000 and P2 million and face imprisonment between five and 15 years.
“We therefore warn traders, retailers and hoarders that government is serious to apprehend and file cases against them if they continue to take advantage of our countrymen particularly during this state of national emergency,” Dar said.
Seized goods for donation
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it would donate to hospitals the P15-million worth of medical supplies used against the coronavirus disease 2019 seized during its price monitoring operations.
DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the Bureau of Products Standards is currently checking if these seized products particularly the personal protective equipment which were believed to have been hoarded or sold overpriced, meet standards.
