MANILA, Philippines – In an interview by the media at the sidelines of a congressional budget hearing, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry Ramon M. Lopez said that telecommunication firms still imposing expiry dates on prepaid telephone and internet load is something he is not aware of then and promises to take action on this matter.
A report from the Manila Bulletin says that Lopez finds no logical reason behind the expiry dates on pre-paid telephone and internet card load credits which have been paid for in advance by consumers. He explained, “These services have already been paid for by the consumer. I do not see any reason why the buyer will be denied the use of the services or goods in the future.”
These unlawful impositions of expiry periods for warranties on sales and effectivity of pre-paid gift certificates, according to Lopez, is a method used by telecommunication firms to shortchange consumers. Lopez assured lawmakers that there will be no letup in the campaign against these establishments during a budget hearing conducted by the House Committee on Appropriations.
The issue, brought to national concern by Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, urged President Duterte to recall a directive issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) setting a validity period for telecommunications prepaid load credits, saying that the memorandum circular is ‘downright anti-poor” and grossly unfair to all prepaid telephone subscribers. She filed a House resolution calling for an inquiry in aid of legislation on the practice of telecommunications companies that drew support from the NTC, through Memorandum Circular 03-07-2009 which imposes validity periods for prepaid load credits to the detriment of public welfare.
Lopez vowed to look into the complaints and said he will assign Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya to handle the problem.
