MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged manufacturers and retailers of Noche Buena products to maintain their current prices for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
During the Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday, DTI Consumer Protection Group undersecretary Ruth Castelo stated that keeping the prices of these products the same will be a relief for Filipinos who will be celebrating the Christmas season in a pandemic for the second year in a row.
“We call on manufacturers not to increase prices of Christmas products this year. Or if they need to increase, only at the absolute minimum level,” she added.
According to the official, the agency also persuaded suppliers of these products last year to maintain their 2019 suggested retail prices (SRPs).
The SRP list for Noche Buena products is expected to be released by DTI between the end of October and early November.
Meanwhile, Castelo said that the new SRP list of basic goods, which was released on Aug. 29, is effective immediately.
“We have 76 out 216 items in the SRP bulletin that increased their prices,” she continued.
These products include canned goods, instant noodles, coffee, milk, condiments, and non-food items like detergent soap.
Castelo said the price increments range from P0.20 to P1, which are the absolute minimum increase.
Castelo assured that the agency will monitor prices of basic and prime commodities everyday and immediately issues a letter of inquiry for reported increases beyond the SRP list.(PNA)
