Hoarders to face penalties

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) released a new se of guidelines to prevent hoarding amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it warned those violators that they would face penalties.

Under the Memorandum Circular no. 20-07, DTI said consumers are encouraged to buy products that are good for seven days in order to maintain the supply and prevent profiteering and hoarding.

In order to achieve that, the following items will be regulated and violating consumers shall be penalized:

70% antiseptic or disinfectant alcohol - 2 pcs., regardless of volume

Hand sanitizer - 2pcs., regardless of size

Disinfecting liquids 2pcs., regardless of size

Bath soap - 5 bars (if individually sold), 1 pack (if sold as a pack)

Toilet paper - 10 pcs. (if sold per roll), 1 pack (if sold as a pack)

Face mask - 5 pcs. N88 (surgical), 5 pcs. N95 (industrial), both are regardless of type or brand

Locally produced instant noodles - 5 pcs. per type and per brand

Locally produced canned sardines - 5 pcs. per type and per brand (regular size), 3 pcs. per type and per brand (big size)

Canned regular milk - 5 cans per type and per brand (small), 2 cans per type and per brand (other than small)

Powdered milk in sachet - 2 bundles per brand

Instant coffee in sachet - 2 bundles per brand

Mineral water - 10 bottles any brand (small), 8 bottles any brand (medium), 5 bottles any brand (large), 2 bottles any brand (extra large)

Loaf bread - 4 packs any kind and any brand (half loaf), 2 packs any kind and any brand (whole loaf)

Aside from that, sellers are required to post notices where consumers can see them in order for consumers to be informed of the regulation of necessities.

As the entire country is already under public health emergency, the prices of basic necessities will be frozen at its prevailing price. There shall be no price increase in basic necessities.

Violators shall be penalized with a fine ranging between P5,000 and P2,000,000, and imprisonMANILA

ment from five to 15 years under Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation of Price Act.

The memorandum was imposed to ensure the availability of basic necessities at this time where the pandemic caused some consumers to hoard and panic buy. If left unchecked, this would lead to artificial shortage and price hike.

Moreover, the memorandum shall be effective starting March 19 until the state of public health emergency is lifted.