Filipino consumers are calling out business owners for "overpricing" of COVID-19 necessities such as alcohol, sanitizers and face masks amid Department of Trade and Industry (DTI's) mandate to halt the price surge.

On Thurday evening, DTI released an official statement warning business owners of the legal ramifications caused by overpricing of COVID-19 necessities.

In Republic Act No. 7394, business owners or establishments reported to be selling overpriced alcohol, hand sanitizers, and face masks will be faced with fines ranging from P500,000 to P2 million and imprisonment for five to 15 years.

DTI disclosed in a public advisory that buyers who encounter profiteering can report to their hotline number 1-384 or send their experiences to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.