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DTI to ask manufacturers not to raise prices of certain goods for 6 months


The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will request local manufacturers to maintain the current prices of select goods for the next six months.

In a report on GMA News' "Balitanghali" on Monday, DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the government will request that manufacturers of canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, milk, noodles, and condiments not raise prices at the moment.

"Kung pwede sana, six months—abot hanggang early next year. Kung hindi naman, siguro pinakamaiksi na nating mahihingi sa kanila, three months," said Castelo.

GMA News has reached out to Philippine manufacturers for comment on the matter.

In the same report, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Inc. President Steven Cua said local retailers will only hike prices if it is justified.

"There are other inputs na walang kinalaman sa cost of goods, kasi tagabenta lang kami ng mga goods," Cua said in the report.

"Pero kung ang cost of labor nagtaas, magtataas rin sila [manufacturers] sigurado, at kailangan rin namin magtaas. Saan namin huhugutin 'yung pangsweldo sa mga tao?" he added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority revealed earlier this month that consumer prices in the Philippines were up 5.7 percent in July, the fastest inflation rate in at least five years.  — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News

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