Consumer group slams DTI's plan to do away with SRP approvals

The United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) on Tuesday slammed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for intending to do away with approving suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic necessities and prime commodities by leaving it up to "market forces."

"Ang papel ng gobyerno ay bigyan ng proteksyon ang taumbayan 24 oras. Sa hakbang ng DTI, ito ay malinaw na pagabandona ng kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin," UFCC President Rodolfo Javellana told GMA News Online.

The DTI released a draft department administrative order on Tuesday giving manufacturers a free hand to adjust prices without pre-approval from the government. All they need to do is notify the DTI regarding the SRPs of products.

"Literal na ipapakain ng DTI sa mga buwaya ang mga consumers sa merkado at mga mapagsamantalang negosyante," Javellana claimed.

He emphasized the significance of the SRP in safeguarding consumers against abusive upticks in prices of consumer products.

"Dapat mag-resign na lamang si Secretary Ramon Lopez. Lumalabas na s'ya pa ang tagapagsalita at kakampi niya ang mga ganid na oligarko," Javellana also claimed.

"Wala ng trabahong gagawin ang DTI kapag tuluyang tinanggal ang pag-momonitor at pagtatakda ng SRP," he added. — VDS, GMA News