No price hike for basic goods until May 10, DTI assures consumers

National

FOR shoppers stretching every peso, there is temporary relief at the checkout counter as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confirmed that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) will remain unchanged until May 10.

This extends an earlier price freeze, supported by continued commitments from manufacturers to hold back planned adjustments.

“We want to assure the Filipino consumers that there will be no price increase for BNPCs until May 10,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement quoted by Philstar.

The extension follows a series of deferred price adjustments from manufacturers, who initially pushed planned increases from an earlier schedule to April 16, then to April 30, before agreeing to extend the freeze further to May 10.

BNPCs include essential household items such as canned sardines, processed milk, bread, coffee, locally produced instant noodles, bottled water, laundry soap, candles, salt, canned meat, condiments, and bar toilet soap with suggested retail prices.

Roque also said in a radio interview that while one manufacturer had earlier informed the DTI of a planned price increase, the company eventually decided to withdraw it. She noted that the agency is not seeing signs of an immediate supply disruption, which helps ease concerns about panic buying.

“The DTI is on the ground every day, closely monitoring markets to make sure basic goods are available and prices stay affordable,” she added.

The agency will continue weekly consultations with manufacturers as part of its ongoing monitoring efforts.

Despite the price freeze, pressure is beginning to show in the supply of certain commodities, particularly canned sardines.

The Industrial Group of Zamboanga Inc. (IGZI) said sardine stocks in the local market are running low and may only last until the end of April, citing tight inventories and production constraints linked to fuel costs and fishing conditions. IGZI vice president Edgar Lim noted that current supplies are expected to cover only a short period, roughly up to April 30, as inventories continue to decline.

He added that inventories are already depleted following the annual fishing closed season from November to February, noting that most remaining stocks in groceries are now being drawn down.

Lim also explained that fishing operations have been affected by high fuel costs, with only about half of fishing fleets currently operating as activity becomes less economically viable, according to earlier statements from industry groups.

To manage limited supply, Lim said canning companies are prioritizing the domestic market over exports, adjusting distribution to ensure local availability amid tighter inventories.(MyTVCebu)