By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) office in Antique said there is sufficient supply of Noche Buena products in the province’s grocery stores.
Glen Fernando of DTI-Antique said in an interview Friday that they have been assured by the owners or managers that they have enough supply for the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
“There’s sufficient supply of Noche Buena products in the major stores, especially (those) that we monitor,” he said.
He added that even manufacturers of such products as macaroni, cheese and other salad ingredients have assured that there would be sufficient goods to be sold in retail stores nationwide.
Meanwhile, Fernando reminded local establishments in the province to abide with the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for the DTI will strictly monitor the prices of commodities.
“We have already learned of one store in the province to which we have sent a letter of inquiry because we found out that they have Noche Buena products sold beyond the SRP,” he said.
Fernando said the store, which he did not name, sold 450 grams of Fiesta spaghetti noodles for PHP37.95 when its SRP is only PHP35.
Likewise, the salad macaroni was sold for PHP70.25 when its SRP should only be PHP69.
Fernando said DTI-Antique expects the owner to answer the letter of inquiry sent to the establishment on Friday.
“Failure to answer within five days would force the DTI to issue a Notice of Violation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fernando said that comparing the SRP for Noche Buena products from the last quarter of 2017 to the same period of 2018 only shows slight price increases.
For a kilogram of CDO Holiday Whole Meat Ham, which was sold for PHP525 in 2017, it is now priced at PHP530.
Del Monte pasta (175 grams) was sold for PHP20.60 in 2017 and now costs PHP20.85.
