The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released Memorandum Circular No. 20-07, a memorandum circular, regarding anti-hoarding and anti-panic-buying. This memorandum dated March 19, details the limitations on how many basic goods each person can buy.
Section 5 of the memorandum states the following products for sale shall be limited in quantity:
Food:
- – Locally produced canned sardines: five cans per type, per brand (regular size); three cans per type, per brand (big size)
- – Canned regular milk: five cans per type, per brand (small); two cans per type, per brand (other than small)
- – Powdered milk in sachet: two bundles per brand
- – Instant coffee in sachet: two bundles per brand
- – Mineral water: 10 bottles any brand (small), eight bottles any brand (medium), five bottles any brand (large), two bottles any brand (extra large)
- – Loaf bread: four packs any kind, any brand (half loaf); two packs any kind, any brand (whole loaf)
- – Locally produced instant noodles (mami, pancit canton): five pieces per type, per brand
Non-food:
- – 70% solution antiseptic or disinfectant alcohol: two pieces regardless of volume
- – Hand sanitizer: two pieces regardless of size
- – Disinfecting liquids: two pieces regardless of size
- – Bath soap: two pieces regardless of size
- – Toilet paper: 10 pieces (if sold per roll) or 1 pack (if sold as pack)
- – Face mask: five pieces N88 (surgical) any type or brand; five pieces N95 (industrial) any type or brand
Individuals who hoard supplies of key commodities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic shall be arrested, Malacanang said last March 12, 2020.
“The Office of the President hereby gives warning to those hoarding vital commodities, which create a hike in the prices, as well as selling them beyond their regular prices, that their actions will be dealt with accordingly in pursuance of public safety and order,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement. Adding that, “those who unscrupulously take advantage of the health crisis will also be arrested and dealt with in accordance with law.”
DTI further explains that those who are caught violating the provisions of the circular, such as hoarding, can be charged with violations under the laws of Illegal Act of Price Manipulation, more specifically under the Price Act. The penalty for such ranges from P5,000 to P2,000,000 and imprisonment of not less than five years, but not more than 15 years.
Supermarkets have seen an influx in customers in the last few days and, according to reports, many have been hoarding or buying necessities in bulk. It is likely a reaction to news about the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country and fears of the Luzon-wide enhanced community, if the situation worsens.
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This story originally appeared on Smartparenting.com.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Yummy.ph editors.
