Imee to DTI: Probe convenience stores’ high prices

By Jo Llorca

LAOAG CITY – Sen. Imee Marcos condemned convenience stores or 24/7 outlets for allegedly taking advantage of consumers by jacking up their prices in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces where they now abound.

Marcos said, it is unjustifiable and even inhuman for these convenience stores like 7-11 to raise beyond the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic commodities, such as noodles, canned goods, soap and coffee.

“Yung Ligo at Young’s Town sardines ay P27 ang isa sa 7-11, samantalang P21 lang ito sa mga sari-sari store. Ang Tide bar P15 pero kung sa tindahan ka bibili P11 lang ito. Ang safeguard soap mabibili mo ng P38 samantalang P29 lang ito. Ang Kopiko P6  pero P12 sa 7-11. Ano yan, ginto ang presyo?” Marcos said.

Marcos said it is unconscionable for these stores to tick of their 24/7 service and the comfort from their air-conditioned outlets to feel at liberty about increasing their prices at will.
"Presyo pa rin ang pinag-uusapan dito. Kombinyente ka ngang bumili, pero napakamahal naman ng bilihin, eh, di wala rin! Ano yan, walang magbabantay sa kanila, basta sila na lang ang magdidikta ng kanila presyo?" the senator from Ilocos Norte added.

Marcos urged the Dept. of Trade and Industry to field monitoring teams specifically to check on 7-11 and other convenience stores to stop them from imposing astronomical prices on hapless consumers.

Unless the DTI acts on her suggestion, according to the senator, she fears that the 24/7 outlets stand to make a killing especially during the so-called "ber" months (September, October, November and December) as Filipinos prepare to celebrate Christmas.

Marcos said it would be to the Trade department's credit if it could even lower prices at convenience stores comparable to those in sari-sari stores and public markets.