By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday (Nov. 28), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque reassured the public that there will be no price hike on basic necessities through the end of 2024, while prices of most Noche Buena package items will remain the same as last year.
“First and foremost, for the prices for basic necessities, [there is] no price increase until the end of the year,” Roque explains.
“And then for the Noche Buena, more than 50 percent, the price will remain the same as last year. And ’yong mga iba, they just increased, but less than five percent,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DTI chief clarified that minor price increases on certain commodities are already being implemented and these are representative of the first adjustments made since last year.
She emphasized the necessity of subtle price hikes, pointing to rising costs associated with imported goods. However, she assured the public that these adjustments are kept to a minimum, to ensure that it would not be a burden for consumers.
“So that at least, kahit papaano, our consumers will have, of course, a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And not too much of an increase also,” she added.
Despite these adjustments, Roque noted consumer demand remains robust, reflecting the importance of the Christmas season to Filipinos.
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