DTI yet to finalize SRP bulletin for basic goods

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has yet to finalize the latest suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin for basic necessities and price commodities, an official said Monday.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo explained that they are still negotiating the adjustment of prices after several manufacturers petitioned to increase prices in January due to higher production costs.

“We have seen justifications from the manufacturers kung bakit nila kailangan nila magtaas. Kasi varying ang percentage at peso value ng increases nila, marami tayong nakita na pwede naman o justified

House okays Freelance Workers Protection Act

Voting 250-0, the House of Representatives approved Monday on third and final reading the House Bill 6718 or the proposed “Freelance Workers Protection Act.” naman,” said Castelo in a public briefing.

A press release from the Speaker’s office explained that the said measure would provide protection and relief to over 1.5 million Filipino freelance workers.

(We have seen justifications from the manufacturers why they have to increase prices. Because they have varying percentages

“As the digital economy expands, the number of Filipino freelance workers also increases. And if no laws are in place to protect our gig economy freelancers or to establish a formal grievance system to enforce their rights, they will be susceptible to all kinds of abuse,” House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

“This is the reason a majority of lawmakers in the House threw their support behind this measure. As a sector with an exploding growth spurt in the coming years, they need protective cover under our laws to ensure their transition as a significant driver of our economy,” Romualdez added.

Under HB 6718, a freelance worker is any natural person or entity composed of no more than one natural person, whether incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission, registered as a sole proprietorship under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or registered as self-employed with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The bill states that this person must be “hired or retained to provide services, in exchange for comFHOUSE OKAYS,