Unfair trade practices

EDITORIAL

Despite monitoring by the Dept. of Trade and Industry, illegal practices of some business establishments like overpricing are still proliferating. Consumers are still victims of deceptive and unfair acts and practices of some business establishments

On occasion of Consumer Month, the DTI is monitoring implementation of Republic Act No. 10909 or Shortchanging Act of 2016.

Under R.A 10909, all business establishments including sari-sari stores and government-owned and controlled corporations and government agencies performing proprietary functions are mandated to give exact change to consumers.

 The law prohibits giving of other forms of change like candy in lieu of monetary change, according to the DTI. The law’s implementing rules and regulations specify it is the duty of business establishments to give the exact amount of change without waiting for the consumer to ask for it.

 Business establishments found to have violated the provisions of the Act will face the penalty ranging from P500 to P25,000 or three to ten percent of gross sales on the day of violation, whichever is higher. Penalty for the third offense includes the suspension of license to operate for three months and its revocation for the fourth offense.

 Agencies tasked to help in effective implementation of the law include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Local Government Units, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.