The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has tightened its monitoring rounds to ensure prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) remain low and affordable during the upcoming holiday season.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, chair of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), conducted a price monitoring on BNPCs on Thursday, October 9, in Taguig City. on Thursday, October 9. The move also coincided with the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month.
Covering 68 units of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs), including canned goods, processed milk, coffee, noodles, and condiments, the monitoring conducted across Taguig People’s Market verified all items were compliant with the DTI’s set price list.
Secretary Roque confirmed that all monitored items were lower by P0.05 to P10.05 than the suggested retail price.
“Our monitoring is non-negotiable, especially when we see positive outcomes like this. The DTI is closely coordinating with manufacturers to ensure there will be no price increases on BNPCs,” Secretary Roque said.
As part of its joint efforts with the Department of Agriculture (DA), together with the City Government of Taguig, items sold in a nearby wet market were also checked. This included a total of 13 stalls for rice, meat, fish, and vegetables and 2 Timbangan ng Bayan public weighing scales.
Furthermore, Secretary Roque also emphasized that DTI remains proactive in monitoring market prices to protect consumers amid the rising demand for Noche Buena products.
“We are intensifying our price monitoring efforts now to guarantee that affordable goods are accessible to every Filipino household, especially as the holiday season is fast approaching,” Secretary Roque added.
The DTI is set to release a Noche Buena Price Guide in the coming weeks to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions as holiday items become more widely available in retail outlets.
