The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will convince manufacturers of Noche Buena products not to increase their price this Christmas or keep the adjustments to the bare minimum.
At the Laging Handa press briefing, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the agency has included test kits and services for new coronavirus disease 2019 in its monitoring following the issuance of suggested retail prices (SRP) on these.
Castelo said the DTI, by practice releases the SRPs on Noche Buena products like ham, pasta, pasta sauces, fruit cocktail, cheese and cream towards the end of October to early November to serve as guide to consumers ahead of Christmas shopping,
“This year, we are not sure if there are products whose prices will increase. Last year, we succeeded in prevailing upon the manufacturers not to increase the prices of Christmas products. This year, we will try again and request these manufacturers not to increase prices but we will have to study that,” Castelo said.
She said the DTI has observed manufacturers do not adjust prices simultaneously due to competition.
“We are calling on the manufacturers not to raise prices of Christmas products or if they do, is to raise to the absolute minimum,” she said.
The DTI has on August 29 released the new SRPs on basic and prime commodities with 76 out of the 216 stock keeping units reflecting price increases like canned meat and sardines, coffee, condiments, some milk products among others.
Castelo said the DTI continues to receive requests for price adjustments on some prime commodities.
Castelo said the DTI will assist in monitoring the implementation of the SRPs of antigen (P960) and RT-PCR tests (P2,450 and P3,360).
She said the DTI will assist the DOH in monitoring the compliance to the SRPs of public and private laboratories as well as retailers and wholesalers. – Irma Isip
