The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now looking into the possibility of considering gadgets as a basic commodity and imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) on the said products with the upcoming school opening in October.
The measure will cover desktops, laptops, and tablets which are commonly needed to sustain the flexible learning activities of students.
The DTI has observed a slight increase in the prices of the products and pointed out that the cost of gadgets should be maintained within the December 2019 and February 2020 price range.
“Kung makita natin na iba-iba ang presyo sa market, o kung talagang itinataas nila ‘yung presyo, dapat that’s the time we declare it as basic commodity para malagyan natin ng SRP (If we observe the varying prices in the market or if they are raised, that’s the time we declare it as basic commodity so an SRP can be imposed),” DTI USec. Ruth Castelo stated.
The DTI will consider factors such as the specification, source, and supply of the devices before imposing an SRP.
The department is advising parents to find affordable products with high quality and to purchase from stores that provide replacement, refund, and warranty.
Meanwhile, business establishments engaged in sale of gadgets that will take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic have been warned and may face charges for violating the Consumer Act.
– Report from Cleizl Pardilla
