In order to ensure the reasonable prices and sufficiency of the supply of basic necessities and some essential medical supplies on the market, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-07 on Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying which sets the reasonable limit in the sale of all basic necessities and some products intended for the protection of health such as, but not limited to, surgical and industrial masks, medical devices, alcohol, hand sanitizers, and other disinfectants.
The Memorandum Circular urges retailers to sell and consumers to buy the below products in quantities that are sufficient in meeting their household needs for a maximum of seven (7) days only.
On specific items however, the Department of Trade and Industry sets the following limits:
| FOOD ITEMS |
| Locally-produced instant noodles (mami, pancit canton) | 5 pcs. per type, per brand |
| Locally-produced canned sardines | 5 cans per type, per brand (regular size) 3 cans per type, per brand (big size) |
| Canned regular milk | 5 cans per type, per brand (small) 2 cans per type, per brand
(other than small) |
| Powdered milk in sachet | 2 bundles per brand |
| Instant coffee in sachet | 2 bundles per brand |
| Mineral water | 10 bottles any brand (small)
8 bottles any brand (medium) 5 bottles any brand (large) 2 bottles any brand (extra large) |
| Loaf bread | 4 packs any kind, any brand (half loaf)
2 packs any kind, any brand (whole loaf) |
| NON-FOOD ITEMS | |
| 70% solution anti-septic or
Disinfectant alcohol |
2 pcs., regardless of volume |
| Hand sanitizer | 2 pcs., regardless of size |
| Disinfecting liquids | 2 pcs., regardless of size |
| Bath soap | 5 pcs. (if individually sold) 1 pack (if sold as a pack) |
| Toilet paper | 10 pcs. (if sold per roll)
1 pack (if sold as a pack) |
| Face mask | 5 pcs. N-88 (surgical), any type or brand
5 pcs. N-95 (industrial), any type or brand |
“While ensuring the availability of essential goods in the market offered at reasonable prices, especially during times of calamity or emergency, is one of the duties of government, this is also a shared responsibility with businesses and consumers. As citizens of this country, it is our social responsibility and moral duty to protect each other’s interests in this time of need. We call on the cooperation of each and every one as our nation faces and addresses the effects of COVID-19,” says DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
To keep the general public informed, retailers are required to post notices in places within their stores and branches that informs the consumers of the quantity of basic necessities that they are allowed to purchase.
Further, with the implementation of a nationwide price freeze of basic necessities, the retailers are mandated to ensure that these goods are sold at their latest prevailing prices prior the declaration of a State of Calamity for sixty (60) days or until 15 May 2020. No price increase shall be allowed within this period.
Any person or entity found to have violated or committed an illegal act of price manipulation, particularly hoarding, may face a fine ranging between Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years up to 15 years. This is without prejudice to the prescribed penalties and sanctions in relevant ordinances issued by the local government units.
Consumers are enjoined to report any individual or retailer that do not comply with the provisions of the anti-boarding and anti-panic buying MC by calling the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or sending an email to, [email protected].
—
Stay updated with news and information from the Department of Trade and Industry by visiting their website at https://www.dti.gov.ph.
