TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Sept. 8 (PIA) – – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office has advised business owners regionwide to give customers exact change in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10909 also known as the “No Shortchanging Act.”
Randolph Cacacho, DTI-2 Consumer Welfare Division Chief, said the law aims to protect the welfare of consumers from unscrupulous business owners who give insufficient change or give customers candies in lieu of monetary change.
Under this new act, he said businesses will not be exempted from giving change just because they lack loose bills of coins and are likewise required to post a sign that reminds their customers to ask for an exact change.
“The law is not only applicable to business establishments but also to public transport vehicles, among others,” Cacacho said. He said violators will be penalized with P500 fine for the first offense; 3-month suspension of establishment’s license to operate plus P15,000 fine if the offense is committed twice; and revocation of establishment’s license to operate plus P25,000 fine if done the third time.
Cacacho advised consumers to be more vigilant in exercising their rights and likewise warned business establishments to comply with the existing fair trade laws and regulations. (Jerard R. Que-DTI/ALM/PIA-2)