THERE is no significant price increases in food items a week before Christmas, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Thursday, December 19.
DTI and the Department of Agriculture held a joint market visit in Guadalupe, Makati City early Thursday to check the situation as the public heads to shop for noche buena.
“All manufacturers committed to join together so consumers will have a merry Christmas at para ‘di mabigat ang presyo,” said Sec. Cristina Roque of DTI.
“Every other day tao namin umiikot to check that the price set is followed,” she said.
(Every other day, our staff monitors the market to ensure the prices are being followed.)
Some people have started buying noche buena items ahead of Christmas.
“Hindi natin maiiwasan ang noche buena, naghahanda ako kasi darating ang mga anak ko, pero mas naghahanda ako nang marami kapag bagong taon,” said Jolly Ramera, a consumer.
(We cannot avoid noche buena. I prepare a feast because my child is coming home. But I prepare more food during the New Year.)
Some consumers say it’s getting harder to mount a celebration because of high prices of goods.
“Medyo nakakapaninago, dati yung isang libong piso marami na mabibili, ngayon kailangan na dalawang libo,” said Paolo Cortes, another consumer.
(It’s quite shocking. Before, you could buy a lot with P1000. Now you need P2000 to buy food.)
POSSIBLE PROFITEERING IN RICE
However, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. flagged possible profiteering in one type of rice, which is being sold at P62 per kilo.
Tiu Laurel said he will investigate the exorbitant profit margins being imposed by some retailers.
The two agencies said they will join forces in monitoring rice prices to ensure the public will get access to cheap rice this Christmas. (ABS-CBN News)
