Bakers will continue to pursue their bid for an increase in the prices of Pinoy Pandesal and Pinoy Tasty contrary to an earlier report by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Jon Chua, president of the Philippine Baking Industry Group which spearheads the Pinoy bread project, said the group last week sent a letter to the DTI and is seeking a meeting with Trade Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco “to discuss this and let us proceed with our request from earlier this year.”
Pacheco in a press conference last week said six manufacturers of basic and prime commodities withdrew their petition for a price increase, including of bread, which is listed in the DTI’s suggest retail price (SRP) bulletin.
In a televised interview yesterday, DTI Undersecretary Kim Lokin identified only five manufacturers which withdrew their petition for a price increase which include bottled water, candles, toilet soap and condiments composed of 23 shelf-keeping units.
Chua in an earlier interview said PhilBaking is seeking a P2-increase on Pinoy Pandesal and Pinoy Tasty, representing the remaining P2 of the P4 the group sought in a petition in 2022.
The DTI granted a P2- increase under a new SRP bulletin in February 2023.
Chua said while the price of flour which accounts for more than half of the cost of bread has been stable the past year, other ingredients have seen significant price increases.
These include sugar, shortening and fuel which all add up to the cost of production.
SRP on Pinoy Tasty 450-grams is now at P40.50 while a 10-piece pack of Pinoy Pandesal is P25. – Irma Isip
