DTI-10 Regional Director Ruel Paclipan emphasizes the importance of inter-agency coordination in addressing price concerns during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas. He highlights the role of the Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCC), composed of various government agencies, in ensuring fair pricing and protecting consumers from unfair trade practices. (Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said government agencies in northern Mindanao are working together to ensure fair pricing and protect consumers from unfair trade practices.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, DTI Regional Director Ruel Paclipan emphasized the role of interagency coordination under the Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) in addressing price concerns. The LPCCs, led by local chief executives, include agencies such as the DTI, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He said agencies involved in price monitoring enforce regulations when irregularities, like illegal price hikes or other manipulative practices, are identified. Price increases due to rising production costs are not subject to enforcement actions.
Paclipan further explained three illegal price manipulation activities: profiteering, hoarding and cartel operations. Profiteering involves selling basic goods at inflated prices, hoarding refers to withholding goods to create artificial shortages, and cartels manipulate market prices through collusion. These actions, he said, are subject to penalties and sanctions.
The DTI-10 director said the government follows a due process approach in enforcement, which includes issuing a letter of inquiry first to businesses when price hikes are detected. “Kung dili gani ma-substantiate, that is the time naa na’y mga penalties ug mga administrative sanctions,” he said.
(If not substantiated, penalties and administrative sanctions will follow.)
According to him, Cagayan de Oro City conducts weekly price monitoring, while other cities and municipalities in the region monitor prices monthly.
Paclipan added that while each agency conducts its own monitoring, the LPCC serves as a platform for coordinating efforts to address price-related issues.
For consumer complaints, Paclipan said DTI’s “no wrong door policy” allows consumers to report price issues directly to DTI. If the matter falls under another agency’s jurisdiction, DTI will refer it to the concerned agency for resolution.
“Pwede ra isang-at sa DTI, then ang DTI ang mo map out ngadto sa mga hingtungdan nga ahensya (consumers can report to DTI, which will forward the issue to the appropriate agency),” he said, emphasizing that while agencies have separate jurisdictions, they work together under the LPCC.
