33 basic items placed on price increase request list –DTI's Lopez

A total of 33 basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) are included in the price increase request list due to rising fuel prices caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Sunday.

Asked in a Super Radyo dzBB interview regarding the effects of Ukraine-Russia war,  Lopez said, “Meron na hong mga paggalaw, nakita naman natin. Actually ‘yung hindi covered ng BNPC, nai-report sa atin sa grocery stores at supermarkets, may mga pagtaas din.”

[We have already seen price adjustments. Groceries and supermarkets have also reported price increases among items not covered by the BNPC.]

“‘Yung covered ng BNPC, mula naman nung nag-umpisa itong giyera, wala pang adjustment. Actually may nag-submit ng request ng adjustment at ‘yun ‘yung pinag-aaralan nga ng DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). I think mga around 33 products,” he added.

(Prices of products under the BNPC have no adjustments yet since the Ukraine war broke out. There are 33 products listed in the request for price adjustments, which the DTI is studying.)

Some of these 33 products include milk, and canned goods such as sardines, and meatloaf, Lopez said.

These are now being looked at by the DTI's Consumer Protection Group to determine the cost adjustments.

In January 2022, the DTI provided an updated suggested retail prices (SRP) for BNPCs such as canned and other food products, bottled water, dairy, and common household or kitchen supplies.

“Hindi naman natin tinatanggal itong SRP system natin para gabay ito doon lalo na sa basic necessities and prime commodities. Ibig sabihin, mino-monitor ito. Ito ‘yung bago maka-increase ‘yung manufacturers, dumadaan muna sa DTI para kung papayagan kung gaano kalaki lang ang pwede,” Lopez said.

(We are not removing our SRP system as it guides us especially on basic necessities and prime commodities. That is being monitored. Before the manufacturers can increase their prices, they first need to go through the DTI to see how much they are allowed.)

Earlier, DTI Assistant Secretary Ann Cabochan said the Department is not keen on implementing a price freeze on basic necessities as Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act has mechanisms in place for mandating so. —LBG, GMA News