Group hits printer's unfair trade practices
A group of printing press owners in the city has complained of unfair trade practices against one printer for employing "dirty tricks" which could be detrimental to the printing industry as a whole.
Rosendo Mejica II, president of the Iloilo Printing Industries Association (IPIA) and proprietor of Makinaugalingon Printer and Bookbinder, disclosed that a certain printer in Jaro, Iloilo City is killing the local printing industry by offering customers prices which are way below the prevailing industry price.
Mejica said such practice is unfair to other smaller printing presses which could not afford to offer much lower prices as it would affect their business operation. It could also damage the entire printing industry as others may follow such unfair practice in order to get clients.
"Actually, we do not know if until when they can survive it (offering of much lower prices). By offering 'below industry prices', definitely they could not have balance in their operation," Mejica said.
Another printing press owner and officer of IPIA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented that the owner of said printing press, despite being an American, tolerate such unfair trade practices.
"Instead of developing excellent marketing strategies in order to attract clients, they resort to unfair and dirty tricks to the detriment of the whole printing industry," the source said.
Iloilo's printing industry employs thousands of workers and their source of livelihood could be affected if the industry is destroyed by the unfair trade practices of one of the players.
The source added that being an American businessman the owner of said printing press could have engaged in some sort of a high-end business which could provide a transfer of technology to the Philippines.
Another source from the printing industry disclosed that aside from offering very low prices the said printer also engages in giving dole outs to customers, specially student and school publications, to ensure that they get the printer's services.
The informant said that the printer usually give out cellular phones, computers, cameras, rebates and even sponsored trip to Hongkong which promotes corruption among young minds.
Mejica said their association already called the attention of said printing firm as regards their unfair trade practices in previous meetings but they simply ignored it.
As such, IPIA is contemplating to seek the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to protect them from the unfair trade practices employed by the said printer.
Under the law, it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage fair, honest and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and protect the consumer against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices.