Philippines: Canned sardines manufacturers want SRP junked

Local canned sardine manufacturers questioned the legal basis of the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) with price ranges, implying that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has no power to issue the SRP Bulletin because of the absence of an enabling law. This was raised by the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) in a letter addressed to DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez in light of the consultation being conducted by the agency on a draft Department Administrative Order (DAO) on guidelines for SRP Bulletin listing and delisting of BNPCs. CSAP Executive Director Francisco J. Buencamino stated in a June 13,2022, letter that “CSAP is declaring its objection to the proposed draft DAO. “It may be wiser for us to recommend deferring a final action on this DAO until an effort to establish an enabling law will support the DAO.” Buencamino cited three most fundamental concerns on the draft DAO. “The main issue with the DAO is ...