ILOILO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned sellers against pricing face shields exorbitantly.
It sees the demand for the contraption rising because wearing them on public transport will be required beginning Aug. 15 as another measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Do not take advantage of the situation. Do not jack up the price of face shields,” DTI-Iloilo director Judith Degala appealed to sellers.
She also urged consumers to be vigilant. Unconscionable sales practices are prohibited by the Consumers Act of the Philippines, she stressed.
“May surge sang demand, nagakulang ang supply, basi hingalitan sang retailers ang pagbaligya,” said Degala.
Presently, the price of face shields ranges from P50 to P100.
“Kon ibaligya mo sia P200 (for example) we can invoke the Consumers Act of the Philippines (to protect consumers from overpricing),” said Degala.
Complaining consumers should bring to DTI-Iloilo the evidence of overpricing such as the face shield itself, or photos of it, and the receipt or price tag.
Degala urged sellers to be compassionate, not exploitative.
“Tanan kita pararehas ang sitwasyon. The pandemic affects everybody. So buroligay lang ‘ta. The government is doing its part (to protect the public),” she stressed.
Demand for face shields is expected to rise as Aug. 15 nears. The Department of Transportation would be enforcing the “no face shield, no ride policy”.
Degala said people may make face shields themselves so they won’t have to shell out money to buy them.
“Himu kamo. Indi kita mag-dependent sa retailers and suppliers,” she stressed.
To those who opt to just buy face shields, Degala said, “Bakal lang sang tsakto nga kinahanglan. Indi mag-hoard or magbakal sang damo. Binlan man naton ang iban nga nagakinahanglan.”
Unlike facemasks which are disposable, face shields are reusable, said Degala./PN
