Prices of Noche Buena items may be ‘relatively stable’ — DTI
(FILE) Traditional Filipino Christmas food, cheese balls, sold at a grocery store
MANILA, Philippines — Prices of Noche Buena products may be “relatively stable” this year, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez on Thursday.
During the Laging Handa briefing, Lopez echoed manufacturers’ statement that more than half of the stock-keeping units (SKUs) will not increase their prices.
“I would say relatively matatag or stable ito dahil nagsabi na ‘yung mga manufacturers more than half ng ating mga SKUs or ‘yung mga stock keeping units… ay nagsabing hindi magtataas ng presyo at ‘yung iba ay magbababa pa ng mga SKUs nila,” he explained, noting that this is a good representation.
(I would say relatively stable because manufacturers mentioned that more than half of our SKUs will not increase prices and some will even decrease it.)
Recognizing that some brands will still increase their product prices, Lopez said that the DTI will promote brands that will keep their costs for the consumers to purchase them.
“Kaya ho ang mungkahi ng DTI ang aming ipo-promote at ipa-publish itong mga SKUs na ‘to, ang mga brands na ‘to na mga hindi magtataas para talagang ma-promote natin sila. May choice ang consumer, ‘yun ang bilhin nila. ‘Wag na nilang bilhin ‘yung nagtaas ang presyo,” he said.
(The DTI’s suggestion is to promote and publish SKUs or brands that will not increase their costs. Consumers have a choice, buy it. Don’t purchase from brands that will adjust their prices upward.)
“Hindi natin maiwasan, may magtataas po diyan. Pero ang ni-require namam namin do’n sa magtataas, hindi lalagpas ng three percent,” he added, saying the increase is still lower than the inflation rate of four percent.
(We cannot avoid price hikes. But, we require those brands to not exceed three percent.)
With the price hike ceiling, the amount would be manageable for consumers, Lopez said.
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