By Perla Lena (PNA)
ILOILO CITY — The prices of “Noche Buena” products sold in markets in Iloilo province, which are being monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), have not moved since last week.
“They are stable because the prices did not increase when compared with our past monitoring,” Ma. Dorita D. Chavez, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Iloilo, said in a press conference Tuesday.
However, she said, some food items have limited supplies, such as ham.
Nonetheless, Chavez said that based on their monitoring, the products are within the suggested retail price (SRP) and some items are even sold at lower prices.
Citing an example, she said Fiesta fruit cocktail (432 grams) is sold at PHP54.75 while Today’s is sold at PHP49.50, both lower than their respective SRPs.
Cheese (Eden) is sold at PHP48, lower than the PHP48.50 SRP. Various brands of spaghetti are also sold at lower prices.
DTI-Iloilo Director Diosdado Cadena Jr. also reiterated the announcement of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on the commitment of manufacturers that the prices of Noche Buena products would be maintained and based on SRP.
He added that some products are not yet available, probably because the demand for them is not yet that high.
They will “unload supplies when they see a demand,” Cadena said, noting that sellers want their products sold as soon as these are out of the factory to ensure their freshness and to prevent additional costs from storing them for a long time.
Cadena also advised consumers to “buy according to what you can afford.”
