THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned that owners and managers of online and physical stores are obligated to put a price tag on their products or they will face fines and imprisonment.
According to DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo of the DTI Consumer Protection Group, DTI strictly monitors and implements the laws about price tags since this is for the protection of the rights of consumers to choose quality products at affordable prices.
She said that based on Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, it is a requirement to put tags, labels and markings that state the price of consumer products that are sold via retail or even piecemeal, and the price should not exceed what is written in the price tag.
Aside from Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, it said that not placing a price tag on primary consumer goods such as rice, corn, meat, fruits and vegetables is tantamount or proof of profiteering.
Not placing a price tag in retail and online stores may face an imprisonment of one to six months and fines of P200 up to P5,000.
It can be recalled that the DTI launched an online campaign against what it calls the “pm sent culture” wherein online sellers resort to private messages or “PM” to relay information about the prices of their products, which is a complete violation of the law that requires prices of products should be visible.