“Pasalubong” products in city not regularly monitored, report reveals

September 9, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – City council resolution no. 436-2017 “Urging the Department of Trade and Industry- Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) and other government agencies to intensify its efforts in monitoring price increases and other irregularities on quantity and quality of commodities, particularly pasalubong products, in the city of Baguio” has not been fully implemented.
This was the conclusion of a status report on the legislative monitoring and evaluation conducted on the measure by local legislative staff officer I Michelle Dulay and submitted to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan with a copy furnished to Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
As the tracking officer, Dulay said she furnished a letter and copy of the resolution to the DTI-CAR under Dir. Myrna Pablo soliciting comments, suggestions and recommendations on the legislation. She also made follow-up phone calls to the agency.
The status report revealed that Pablo submitted the following observations and comments upon meeting with her office’s consumer protection division:
Pasalubong products are not regularly monitored vis-à-vis prices, as these products are not considered as basic necessities or prime commodities under the Price Act of the Philippines as amended, as such regular monitoring cannot be undertaken considering the DTI’s other regulatory functions and limited personnel; the DTI is proactively providing trainings and other assistance to entrepreneurs engaged in the manufacture and sale of pasalubong products aimed at improving quality and ensuring that they are sold at reasonable rates.
For products falling under the DTI’s mandate, it has a redress mechanism in place to address complaints that may be filed by consumers against establishments for violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines; the city council may refer to other agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on other matters falling under their jurisdictions; and the DTI-Benguet office is willing to collaborate with the city government in conducting any activity they deem appropriate to address the matter.
Dulay’s status report recommends that the city council should request the Mayor to create a task force or monitoring committee to include the DTI-CAR and other agencies like the DA-CAR and FDA-CAR.
Its functions will include: Monitor the prices and other irregularities on quantity and quality of commodities, particularly pasalubong products in the city of Baguio; recommend formulation or adoption of policies therefor; and conduct trainings and other assistance to entrepreneurs engaged in the manufacture and sale of pasalubong products aimed at improving quality and ensuring that these are sold at reasonable rates.
 
Gaby Keith, PIO-Baguio