The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday said there will be no price increase in the Noche Buena products this holiday season.
In an interview with dzRH, DTI's Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau Director Marcus Valdez II said that they have published last November 27 a list of standard retail prices (SRP) of around 130 Noche Buena products.
Of the said number, Valdez said that 110 of the products on the list did not increase prices while the other 20 decreased their prices since December of 2020.
He also encouraged consumers to patronize those products that agreed to retain their prices or even lower their prices this Christmas season.
In line with this, the DTI also promotes the said manufacturers, producers, and suppliers’ products on their website for further patronization of the public.
Valdez added that consumers can report any price increase in the said listed items on the list. You can access the DTI Noche Buena Products List here.
Price freeze
Following the announcement of the state of calamity in typhoon-hit areas like Region 4B, Region 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, the DTI reminded that the prices of basic commodities will automatically freeze which will last an unextendible period of 60 days.
The DTI basic necessities and prime commodities list can be accessed here.
With regards to the construction materials, Valdez said they are not covered with the price freeze, adding that sellers may not take advantage of the current situations in the devastated areas for they are subjected to the Consumer Act, where they cannot take advantage of the consumers.
The penalty of the Consumer Act or the unfair and unconsumable sales practices has a fine of Php 500 – 10, 000 with 5 months to one-year imprisonment.
