Prices of goods stable, says DTI

MANILA, Philippines - Prices of basic necessities and prime commodities are generally stable based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) latest monitoring.

“For the major products, most (prices) have been stable,” DTI consumer protection group officer-in-charge Victorio Mario Dimagiba said in a press conference yesterday.

The DTI has just issued a new list of suggested retail prices (SRP) for basic necessities and prime commodities.

The DTI’s price guide dated February 24 showed that the SRP for 155 grams (g) of canned sardines is at P12.50 to P13.75.

For 300-milliliter (ml) processed condensed milk, the DTI has prescribed a price range of P51.30 to P63.20, while the recommended price for 370-ml evaporated milk is from P37 to P50.50.

The DTI has suggested a price range of P45.15 to P73.30 for 150-gm powdered milk, while it recommends a price range of P16.75 to P19.95 for every 25-g of coffee refill.

As for a 400-gm pack of detergent, the SRP is from P17.25 to P19.

The 450-g Pinoy Tasty loaf has a prescribed price of P37, while the 10-piece Pinoy Pandesal Pack has been given a recommended price of P22.50.

The SRP for 55-gm pack of instant noodles is from P6.30 to P7.10.

For 500-ml bottled water, the DTI has recommended a price range of P8 to 16.

As for 165-gm canned luncheon meat, the suggested price range is P27.50 to P30.55.

The DTI has prescribed a price range of P15.25 to P17 for 150-gm in canned meat loaf, while the recommended price for 150-gm tin of corned beef is P24.25 to P28.50 and the SRP for 150-gm tin of beef loaf is P15.25 to P18.15.

The DTI has provided a price range of P10.40 to P13 for 330-ml bottle of vinegar, while the proposed price for  350-ml bottle of fish sauce is from P17.35 to P20.05 and the suggested price for 350-ml bottle of soy sauce is from P13.35 to P15.

The recommended price range for 90-gm bar of toilet soap is P19 to P25.75.

For a pack of two AA batteries, the DTI’s SRP is from P20 to P37.

Consumers are advised to carefully check the weight and the price tag of products before making a purchase.

Dimagiba said consumers should check if the products being sold in the market have the Philippine Standard or Import Commodity Certificate  markings to ensure these have passed the government’s product standards and are safe for use.