Establishments now required to give customers exact change

The bill that prohibits establishments from giving customers insufficient change is now due for implementation after it lapsed into law last July 21.

Violators of Republic Act 10909, approved during the 16th Congress and signed by former Senate president Franklin Drilon and House speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., face closure and a fine of P500 to P25,000 or 10 percent of gross sales, whichever is higher.

The law aims to protect consumers against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices; institutionalize the practice of giving exact change, educate consumers in the exercise of their rights and provide a means of correcting violations.

Once implemented, establishments are no longer allowed to use candies or other items as change and are duty bound to give the exact change without being asked.

The new law also requires the establishment to use price tags, indicating the exact retail price per unit, including the taxes applicable to the goods or services being offered.

“These establishments shall also put signs in conspicuous places within the establishment or reflect in the official receipts issued the taxes incorporated in the retail price per unit of goods or services to avoid misleading the consumers on the exact price they have to pay and the exact change due them,” Section 4 of the Act read.

The measure allows consumers to file a complaint within 10 days from a transaction and requires the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate in 10 days or less after receiving a writto ten complaint and rule on within 30 days.

First offense is punishable with P500 fine or three percent of gross sales, whichever is higher; and for second offense, a P5,000 fine or five percent of gross sales.

A third- time offender will be fined P15,000 or seven percent of gross sales, whichever is higher, aside from suspension of operations for three months.

Fourth offense is punishable it with P25,000 fine and closure of the establishment.

Section 7 of the Act gives the DTI at least 120 days to promulgate the rules and regulations in implementing the law. It also tasked the agency to do an information campaign to educate consumers regarding the new law.

The law is a consolidation of Senate Bill 1618 and House Bill 4730.