THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday said more than half of Noche Buena products have committed not to increase their prices.
Agaton Uvero, DTI assistant secretary said at Bagong Pilipinas on PTV-4 yesterday, prices of basic and prime commodities (BNPCs) will stay at current levels for the rest of the year.
Uvero said the DTI will issue by middle of November the price guide on 237 stock keeping units (SKUs) of Noche Buena products but assured prices of more than half of these are unchanged.
Uvero said prices of some Noche Buena products have increased by less than 5 percent. Only a few had raised prices by more than 5 percent.
“We are waiting for the completion of the list of products covered by the price guide on Noche Buena. We don’t impose SRP (suggested retail price) on Noche Buena products but the price guide is becomes a basis for consumers for choosing what to buy, giving them options on prices and quality,” Uvero said.
“There will hardly be any changes in the prices of Noche Buena products,” he added.
Uvero said for the rest of the year, the DTI will no longer issue an SRP bulletin on BNPCs.
“We have allowed some adjustments on a few BNPCs the past months and we will longer permit any increases until the end of the year,” he said.
Uvero said the DTI will continue its weekly monitoring of BNPCs on their compliance to SRPs. Monitoring will now include Christmas decorations particularly lights on compliance to standards.
“Our control over Christmas decorations is more on quality for the safety of consumers,” he said.
Uvero advised consumers to ensure the Christmas lights and electrical items they purchase have import commodity clearance or Philippine standard stickers or marks.
He also advised consumers to always buy in reputable stores to ensure the quality of products.
