Most Oro stores compliant with SRP on Noche Buena items

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Misamis Oriental said almost all of the stores, supermarkets, and establishments in Cagayan de Oro City are selling Noche Buena items within the suggested retail price (SRP).

Ma. Eliza Pabillore, provincial director of DTI-Misamis Oriental, said there are still some establishments that sell Noche Buena products above the SRPs but said they have already sent a show cause order for the establishments to state or explain the reason as to why they exceed the SRP. within five days.

“If there’s no response, that’s the time that we can file a formal charge (against the establishment) for selling beyond the suggested retail price,” Pabillore said.

According to the DTI’s Weekly Price Monitoring Report of Noche Buena products as of December 11 to 15, most of the products sold above the suggested retail price were ham, fruit cocktail, sandwich spread, keso de bola, pasta/ spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and cream.

The report also stated that compare to last year, there is a “noticeable increase in the SRPs of processed ham, pasta, sauce, fruit cocktail, and cream.”

“Despite the increase in SRPs, it is found that most establishments monitored sell Noche Buena products within SRPs,” the report said.

Pabillore said having most establishments in the city compliant with the SRP would “spell a good business practice with them and we’re assured that the consumers are given the right price.”

DTI said there is an increase of volume of Noche Buena products displayed in the establishments while there are no changes in the prevailing prices compared from the monitored prevailing prices in supermarkets and groceries on December 3 to 8.

“Actually, the establishments are already aware that we are doing monitoring and they are also aware that the products are being monitored. Right now, what we are trying to really look into is to see that all establishments also have complete price tags,” Pabillore said.

The DTI provincial director said monitoring establishments for complete price tags and shelf pricing is also a part of their consumer protection advocacy and activities, adding that having price tags and shelf pricing can help the consumers in making sure that the counter in the store is punching the right price of the product.

“Because most stores now do not have price tags on the product itself. That’s why we are also looking very closely on the price tags, shelf pricing just to make sure that all products have price tags or shelf prices,” Pabillore said.

Pabillore said almost all of the stores in the city have price tags and shelf pricing, however, the conduct of the monitoring is to make sure that more than 90 percent of the products on display are the right price tags.

Establishments found without price tags and shelf pricing will be given a show cause order, and if response is not sent within five days, DTI will be filing a formal charge on the said store, Pabillore said.

DTI also advised the consumers to examine the expiry date and the price tags prior to purchase; to ensure that the item/ shelf price and the price at the cashier are the same and if price differ, pay the lesser amount; and to carefully check and compare the weights of competing brands.