PRICES of media noche items and basic necessities and prime commodities will remain stable until New Year’s Eve, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry said.
According to DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles, noche buena items are the same as media noche items and they were able to assure that there will be no movement for these until yearend.
“Katulad ng ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail tapos yung mga all-purpose cream, spaghetti. Para sa mga ganitong items na laman ng ating noche buena price guide, si Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual gaya po ng sabi natin nung nakaraan, nakakuha siya ng commitment sa mga manufacturers na wala pong magtataas ng presyo, mananatili ang presyo as stated in the price guide hanggang Dec. 31. So hanggang media noche ‘yan,” Nograles explained.
Noche buena items are different from basic necessities and prime commodities which include the usual household needs such as canned sardines, condiments, and bread. Nograles likewise said the prices of these will not change until Dec. 31.
“Para naman maka-enjoy tayo hanggang media noche,” he added.
The price adjustment will happen next year when DTI starts releasing the approval of notices after 18 manufacturers requested an increase on 63 items such as coffee and bread.
Steven Cua, president of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, agreed with DTI in saying that prices will remain stable. If ever there is a price increase on goods for media noche, it will be because some items have been sold out.
The possible increase will be very minimal, he added.
Cua expects the bulk of customers to come in from Dec. 28 to 31, which is why he recommends shoppers to start buying what they need for their celebration on Dec. 26 or 27.
Cua and Nograles also reminded the public to look for sale items. (ABS-CBN News)
