BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental is strictly monitoring basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) to see if they adhere to the suggested retail prices (SRPs).
DTI-NegOcc director Rachel Nufable said SRPs are a guide for consumers to choose items within their budget.
Noche Buena products are not considered BNPCs, Nufable clarified.
As of the present price monitoring of the DTI, supermarkets in Bacolod City are still within the SRP.
“Wala kita problema sa supply, although may increase kita sa prices, mga zero to 10 percent or more than 10 percent,” Nufable said.
The recent price increase on Noche Buena products was within last year’s SRP, Nufable added.
“Indi man gid majority of the products, may ara man as is lang ila retail price,” according to the DTI provincial director.
Supermarkets are so far compliant, and they are not expecting any price hikes as the holiday season draws near, according to Nufable, pointing out that supermarkets have already stocked up their items around two or three months prior.
Meanwhile, Nufable confirmed that they are also monitoring the sale of Christmas lights in the city.
Christmas lights must have Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings, and as of now, all of the lights they have inspected are compliant, Nufable stressed./PN
