The Department of Trade Industry ordered all businesses to restrict their signages to English and Filipino only.
This comes after the DTI closed down at least 18 establishments catering to Chinese people only and a lack of necessary permits to operate.
The administrative order issued by the department said it will be for the protection of consumers’ right to accessible information that can help them in making wise purchase decisions.
Use of other languages like Chinese will be ‘unfair and discriminatory’.
The DTI’s directive signage, billboards, advertisements, brochures, flyers, notices, advisories, labels, price tags/lists, menus and receipts.
Penalties range from Php 1,000 to Php300,000 and possible cancellation of their business license.
Businesses have one month to comply with the new DTI order.
