ILOILO City – Consumers around Western Visayas are being advised to avoid the holiday rush by purchasing noche buena products as early as possible. This strategy ensures better options and value for money.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 issued this advisory following the release of the 2023 Noche Buena Price Guide by the DTI Central Office on Nov. 22.
Judy Mae Sajo, DTI-6 information officer, said, “It is more advantageous for consumers to shop earlier. Malls and retail stores will most likely be crowded, making it difficult to choose the items properly. We encourage early shopping to avoid the holiday rush and ensure a wider selection of products.”
Under DTI’s guide, here are the prices of 12 noche buena products:
* Spaghetti – P25.50 for 200 grams to P105 for 1 kilo
* Spaghetti Sauce – P33 for 250 grams to P103 for 1 kilo
* Elbow Macaroni – P23 for 200 grams to P124 for 1 kilo
* Keso de Bola – P321 to P435
* Mayonnaise – P24 for 80 ml sachet to P183 for 700 ml
* Cheese – P56 to P420
The 2023 Noche Buena Price Guide also covers ham, fruit cocktails, sandwich spread, tomato sauce, and all-purpose cream. According to Sajo, the DTI monitored 222 stock-keeping units (SKUs) last year. In 2023, the number increased to 240 SKUs, of which 152 have experienced a price increase.
“This year, consumers have more options as the number of SKUs has increased to 240. Out of these, 152 items have seen a price rise,” Sajo added.
However, the most significant price increase is observed in cheese, ranging from P1.50 to P49, depending on the brand.
The DTI-6 has directed its provincial offices to closely monitor the prices of these 240 SKUs. They are confident that establishments and retail stores will comply with the price guide, which was determined during a meeting with the DTI on Nov. 7 and 8.
In the coming weeks, there will be nationwide simultaneous monitoring of noche buena products. Provincial offices are already overseeing these products as part of the regular monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities.
Sajo assured that there would be sufficient noche buena products available this holiday season.
Reminders to Consumers
When purchasing noche buena products, DTI offers these tips:
* Use the price guide when shopping. List the items you need and check the prices of your preferred brands based on the guide.
* Compare items for quality before making a purchase.
* Check the label for expiration dates and ensure that there is a price tag.
“Consumers must also check for the quality of the products and buy from trusted stores to avoid fake or expired items. Take advantage of promos or product bundles offered by malls to save,” Sajo said.
A copy of the noche buena price guide is available on the DTI Region VI Facebook Page or their website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/.
Earlier this week, Trade Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles announced that out of the 240 SKUs, around 35 percent or 83 SKUs have seen price increases of one to five percent. Additionally, 15 percent or 37 SKUs have price increases of six to 10 percent, while 13 percent or 32 SKUs have increases of more than 10 percent. On the other hand, prices of 21 SKUs have decreased, and 34 SKUs remained unchanged.
Nograles further explained, “For ham products, three SKUs decreased by as much as 12.7 percent, six did not change, and all others, except one SKU, kept the increases to a maximum of 3.7 percent. For keso de bola, five SKUs decreased by as much as 7.8 percent, two did not change, and the highest increase was 8.1 percent.”
She added that for cheese, half of the SKUs increased by at most five percent while two SKUs increased by 13 percent. Ten SKUs of pasta and macaroni decreased prices, while another ten did not change.
“For spaghetti sauce SKUs, nine either decreased or did not change prices, while seven kept the increase within five percent. For tomato sauce SKUs, five had no change, while five kept the increase within five percent,” Nograles stated.
On fruit cocktail, increases ranged from 1.3 percent to 6.4 percent. For all-purpose cream, one SKU decreased while nine are new SKUs.
Based on the mock price guide presented yesterday, the price of ham ranges from P169 to P898.50 depending on size. Fruit cocktail prices range from P57.72 to P298. Prices of keso de bola range from P210 to P445 depending on size, while cheese prices range from P47.15 to P420. The guide also shows mayonnaise prices from P24.70 to P245.85 and sandwich spreads from P27 to P263.60. Pasta or spaghetti prices range from P25.50 to P113, elbow macaroni from P23 to P124, and salad macaroni from P36.50 to P123. Prices for spaghetti sauce range from P23.55 to P103, tomato sauce from P15.50 to P92.25, and all-purpose cream from P36.50 to P59.95.
The DTI has reiterated that it conducts price and supply monitoring activities for ‘noche buena’ items during the fourth quarter of the year to guide consumers in their purchasing decisions. It also stressed that ‘noche buena’ products are not categorized as basic necessities and prime commodities under Republic Act 75181, as amended by RA 10623. (With a report from The Philippine Star)/PN
