As Christmas nears, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is giving a last-minute advice to shoppers and a warning to retailers to ensure a hassle-free and safe holiday shopping.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday said consumers should start their shopping early to avoid crowds.
Lopez also assured prices of Noche Buena products like ham, cheese and pasta remain unchanged from their 2019 levels while those of basic and prime commodities in supermarkets and groceries are within suggested retail prices.
He said the DTI has been vigilant in its enforcement and will reprimand establishments which increases the prices of any one of the more than 200 items the agency monitors, even if the increase is just 10 centavos.
Lopez also assured the DTI and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines have strengthened their campaign against fake or counterfeit products sold online or in tiangges.
He said the DTI will also work closely with the cybercrime groups of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to curb the proliferation of bogus orders by unscrupulous individuals using other people’s names to order products online.
Lopez also advised business establishments to have verification systems that can check the identity of their customers.
Lopez said the DTI will push for the registration of subscriber identify module (SIM) card for traceability and accountability.
Undersecretary Ruth Castelo meanwhile consumers should buy Christmas lights that are certified by the Bureau of Product Standards to ensure these are not faulty.
Castelo reminded shoppers are entitled to the 3Rs of the Consumer Act if they are not satisfied with an item or service: repair, replace or refund.
