By Alec Go
The prices of Noche Buena products in the price guide of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have increased this year by up to 5%, according to the agency on Wednesday.
DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said the average price adjustment for Noche Buena products is 5%, lower than last year’s 11%.
Nograles said manufacturers and retailers have attributed the adjustment to the increasing prices of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, power, and distribution cost.
“This year, as shown in the Noche Buena price guide, some of the products did not change their prices,” she said, as she compared it with last year’s adjustment wherein the majority of the prices jumped by over 10%.
“We have 34 stock keeping units (SKUs) in our price guide that retained their prices, 21 pa nga ang nag-decrease pa lalo ng prices. Medyo na-manage naman natin ang price increases natin,” she added.
The DTI has already released its 2023 Noche Buena Price Guide covering 240 SKUs, which will be effective until December 31.
Cheese products posted the highest price increase at P49.00.
Nograles said this year’s guide is more comprehensive than that of last year, as it includes all Noche Buena item manufacturers and their suggested retail prices.
“Ang mangyayari, kapag ang consumer pumunta sa grocery store o supermarket at hindi sumusunod [ang store] sa noche buena price guide, they can report that to the DTI.”
“DTI on our part will speak to the manufacturers of the Noche Buena items, and then manufacturers will then sort it out with the retailers,” she added.
The DTI clarified the price guide is not mandatory, and that no penalties will be imposed. Consumers are however encouraged to report to the DTI the sale of Noche Buena goods that are priced outside the guide.
