Cagayan de Oro City-based online sellers in Facebook and other social media were encouraged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to register their business in compliance with existing trade laws and to assure buyers of their legitimacy.

“Aside from registering their business name (with DTI), they should also file their requirements with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). That way masaligan sa buyers ang online sellers (the buyers can trust the sellers) since they are compliant with the law,” DTI Provincial Director Almer Masillones said during Monday morning´s (Aug. 17) press briefing.

Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy, co-chairman of the City Price Coordinating Council, also called on online sellers to self-regulate themselves especially those selling meat products.

“City Hall has their Anti-ASF (African Swine Flu) Task Force which monitors the entry of pork products in the city and so buyers cannot take chances buying their meat from online without making sure they are safe to eat,” Uy said.

Aside from safety, Uy said buying meat from any source other than those accredited by the City Veterinarian Office would also impact heavily on the local meat industry.

“If even one buyer purchases contaminated meat, imagine how it would impact those local sellers (especially during this pandemic),” Uy said.

“As far as registration is concerned, online sellers can pay P230 for registering their business with the DTI. The processes are simple enough for compliance. We also provide online sessions to help these sellers’ market their products since what they are doing is essentially entrepreneurship,” Masillones said.