ILOILO CITY — If there is any trend in prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in Iloilo, then it could be “erratic,” an official of the Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo said.
DTI-Iloilo Director Diosdado Cadena Jr. said the price is always “affected by the demand and supply, depending on the stock level” and there are times when the price is low, depending on the cost component.
He added the effect of the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law on products that are within the jurisdiction of the DTI is very minimal and has not even reached 1 percent.
“The effect of the TRAIN law is just part of the cost component; the manufacture of the product,” he said in an interview Monday.
He explained that if there are prices that go beyond the SRP, then “it is more of opportunistic style of other retailers”, especially in far-flung areas.
“The SRP is more on the city, which we consider as the main distribution channel of these products,” he added.
Prices of goods in Iloilo City are being monitored weekly, being a highly-urbanized city, said Cadena.
Their July 2 monitoring of the basic necessities and prime commodities in Iloilo showed a minimal increase in prices of selected goods, from .45 percent to 8 percent.
The increases were monitored in canned goods, particularly sardines, evaporated filled milk and coffee.
The Toyo sardines brand has increased to PHP13.95 from PHP12.85. Its suggested retail price was PHP13.85 for 155 grams. The Mega brand was priced at PHP15.75 from PHP15.
The increase was attributed to the importation of the tin cans and ingredients, thus the hike in prices.
On the other hand, the 370ml Alaska filled milk increased to PHP39.50 in July 2 monitoring from the PHP38 in May 28. The Alaska Evaporada was at PHP24.75 from the previous PHP24.50.
For coffee, the 20grams x 30 Nescafe classic blend and brew costs PHP174.50 from the previous PHP155.
For prime commodities, the prices of toilet soap Tender Care at 80 and 115 grams increased to PHP22.10 and PHP30.90, respectively from PHP22 to PHP30.75. (Perla Lena/PNA)
