DTI: No price hike of basic goods until April 16

Amid concerns over the effects of rising oil prices due to the Middle East crisis, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Saturday the prices of basic consumer goods have remained steady but might start rising in the second half of April.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the DTI has yet to monitor upticks in the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

Roque said this covers around 205 stock keeping units (SKUs) sold in supermarkets, groceries, and online platforms. These products will remain at current prices until April 16, while some items are expected to hold prices until the end of April.

"We will not have any price increase up to April 16. And we will keep on updating them. Kasi may mga ibang produkto na hanggang end of April, wala pong price increase," Roque said.

(We will not have any price increase up to April 16. And we will keep on updating them, because some products won't have price hikes until the end of April.)

The DTI has also met with manufacturers and retailers, who assured the agency that there is sufficient supply and inventory, helping prevent price adjustments for now. 

Among the products included in the monitoring list are canned sardines, corned beef, cup noodles, bottled water, coffee, milk, some dairy products, and candles.

However, Roque clarified that not all products are covered by the list, meaning prices of certain brands or varieties may still fluctuate.

Consumers were advised to check the posted list of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) in groceries and supermarkets, as well as on the DTI's official website and social media pages.

Roque added that the agency holds weekly meetings with manufacturers and will continue monitoring the situation beyond April 16.

With uncertainty surrounding how long the Middle East crisis and its impact on global oil prices will persist, the DTI said any decision on price adjustments after April 16 will depend on ongoing assessments.

"Titingnan natin ulit, because weekly po ang usap namin with the manufacturers," she said. 

(We will look into it again, because we have been talking weekly with the manufacturers.)

Roque's statement came a day after the Philippine Amalgated Supermarkets Association Inc. told GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita that some supermarkets are set to hike prices starting April 1.

The group cited pasta, noodles, canned goods, and candies as among the products affected by rising costs.

On Friday, the DTI said an automatic nationwide price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) was not in effect following President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s declaration of a national energy emergency by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 110.

Under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, prices of basic goods in an area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control whenever the area is declared under a state of calamity, emergency, martial law, state of war, state of rebellion, or when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, unless otherwise declared by the President.

"Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 110, which declares a State of National Energy Emergency, the DTI clarifies that an automatic nationwide price freeze under the Price Act (R.A. 7581) is not currently in effect," the department had said, adding that consumer protection teams were under heightened alert.

Twenty-one major manufacturers of essential goods—including canned sardines, bread, bottled water, instant noodles, and coffee— "have formally pledged to maintain their current prices for the next 30 to 60 days," the DTI had said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News