The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bohol issued 68 show cause orders (SCOs) and 9 notices of violation (NOVs) to retail supermarkets and hardware stores allegedly violating the price freeze order.
The DTI has been continuously engaging in price and supply monitoring especially in typhoon hit areas in Bohol.
Violators are charged and penalized with violation of the Price Act and other regulations, the DTI says.
The DTI added that violators face fines of no more than P1 million and not less than P1,000 for violating the automatic price ceiling imposed when there is a declaration of state of calamity.
For illegal price manipulation, violators may face a fine of not less than P5,000 and not more than P2,000,000.
Among the commodities that are categorized as basic necessities that are monitored by the DTI are bread, canned fish and marine products, potable water in bottles and containers, processed milk, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent, candles, flour processed and canned pork, processed and canned beef and poultry meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, paper, school supplies, cement, clinker, G.I. sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs, and steel wires.
The public is advised to report any violations to: mobile 09173005810, tel.no. (038) 501-8260, email r07.bohol@dti.gov.ph or message us at DTI Bohol Facebook Page.
