By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency
Prices of basic and prime commodities monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will remain unchanged until April 30, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Wednesday.
“Me and (Department of Agriculture) Secretary Kiko (Francisco Tiu Laurel), we go together in the palengke (markets) and also in the supermarkets to make sure that there’s enough food supply and also the prices are stable. I would also like to announce that there is no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities until the end of the month, until April 30,” she said during the DTI–Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair opening at a mall in Mandaluyong City.
The extension adds two weeks to the April 16 date announced earlier by the DTI following meetings with manufacturers.
Roque assured the public that the government is closely monitoring prices and supply amid rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
She said regular meetings with manufacturers, retailers, and logistics firms are ongoing to protect both businesses and consumers.
Price monitoring
Roque also led a market inspection at a mall supermarket, where she said some goods were even priced below the suggested retail price (SRP).
DTI personnel continue regular price checks to ensure compliance, even before the Middle East conflict, she added.
“So, again, no need to panic. No need to worry. Prices of basic and prime commodities under DTI’s list remain stable,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
MSME support
Roque said the government remains committed to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through trade fairs and expanded access to global markets.
“This fair is proof that when we provide the platform and the right support, Filipino MSMEs can succeed both locally and globally. For local, we have a huge market. We have almost 115 million Filipinos. The market is big. Let’s take advantage of this market and this opportunity,” she said.
Roque said export growth reached a record 15.4% in 2025 and continued to expand in early 2026.
“So there’s really a lot of opportunities for Filipino products out there,” she said.
“Let’s continue to support the MSMEs as best and as aggressive as we can. That determination is showing up in our numbers.” (PNA)
