The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensified nationwide price and supply monitoring operations to ensure fair trade practices and promote consumer protection across the country.
Following a monitoring activity in Mabalacat, Pampanga on April 03, DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque led a similar operation in Baguio City on April 4, 2025, covering the Baguio Public Market and Tiongsan Supermarket.
“We in the DTI are fully aligned with the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, and our intensified efforts on the ground reflect this,” said Roque
“Our presence in Baguio, immediately after our work in Mabalacat, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that fair prices for basic necessities and prime commodities are upheld not just in Metro Manila, but in every region of the Philippines,” the trade chief added.
The DTI monitoring team conducted inspections of various stalls in the Baguio Public Market, meticulously checking the prices of essential food items such as rice, poultry, meat, seafood, and vegetables. The operation extended to Tiongsan Supermarket, where the prices of a wide array of stock keeping units (SKUs), including canned sardines, instant noodles, bread, coffee, powdered milk, and other basic goods, were verified.
Aside from price verification, the team also actively checked the functionality and visibility of the ‘‘Timbangan ng Bayan’’ and “Bantay Presyo” bulletin boards, reinforcing the DTI’s commitment to promoting transparency and ethical business practices in the markets.
This sustained initiative is a critical part of the ongoing efforts of the DTI to stabilize the prices and ensure the consistent availability of essential goods at reasonable costs, in strict accordance with the Price Act (Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by R.A. 10623).
While the DTI has consistently conducted similar monitoring activities in various locations within Metro Manila, including Valenzuela, Pasig, Manila, Pasay, and Quezon City, the recent operations in Baguio and Mabalacat underscore the Department’s strengthened focus on its regional operations, bringing its services and enforcement closer to consumers nationwide.
“The DTI is resolute in protecting consumers from unfair trade practices,” Secretary Roque reaffirmed.
“We pledge to continue intensifying our monitoring efforts across the country. We will remain vigilant and will not hesitate to take action against businesses found violating fair trade laws to ensure that consumers are protected and receive the best value for their money,” the DTI chief declared.
Consumers are encouraged to report any instances of retailers selling basic necessities and prime commodities above the mandated prices through the DTI Consumer Care Hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or through email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph.
