CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assured consumers in Central Luzon that the prices of Noche Buena fare would remain stable through the Christmas holidays.
This, after DTI personnel, along with members of the Bulacan Consumers Affairs Council, found the prices of Noche Buena foods reasonably priced and within the government’s suggested retail prices (SRP) in a surprise visit to supermarkets and groceries in various areas in Bulacan.
The DTI noted 500 grams of ham loaf priced from P137 to P169; 432 grams fruit cocktail from P49 to P53.50; 350 gram queso de bola from P169 to P320; 400 grams spaghetti pasta from P30 to P49.10; 200 grams elbow and salad macaroni from P15.25 to P34.45; 250 grams spaghetti sauce from P22 to P27.90; 115 grams tomato sauce from P12 to P15.80; and 250 milligrams creamer from P49.50 to P55.
DTI officer Jacinto Polido said the prices were even below the government-mandated SRP which, he concluded, was testimony that inflation rate in Central Luzon has remained only at 4.4 percent, which is lower than the national level rate.
Polido noted that the Price Act or Republic Act 7581 provides that those selling goods beyond 10 percent of SRP would get a show-cause order from the DTI and present any justification. Sanctions are to be imposed on those who fail to justify high prices.
