DTI, supermarkets agree to hold prices of basic, prime goods until April 16

Prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) will not increase for the next few weeks after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) agreed to keep prices on hold until April 16, 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DTI said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and PAGASA Executive Director Steven Cua confirmed that the group’s member-supermarkets will maintain current rates to “protect consumers from sudden cost increases and support stable supply in the market.”

The DTI-PAGASA price status quo covers a variety of everyday products such as:

• Food: Canned sardines, meat, instant noodles, coffee, milk, salt, bread, and condiments.
• Household Items: Laundry and bath soap, candles, batteries, and bottled water.

The DTI called on the public to use the official Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin to ensure they are paying the correct amount.

The SRP bulletin can be found in stores – posted in supermarkets and groceries – and online on the DTI website or their official social media pages.

The DTI and PAGASA both said the move “helps keep prices steady and ensures reliable access to basic goods for Filipino families.”

On Tuesday, Malacañang said the DTI is eyeing more discussions with manufacturers to prevent price increases of basic consumer goods even after April 16. — JMA, GMA News