DTI Cebu monitors prices of Noche Buena products

CEBU, Philippines - Sixteen days before Christmas, the trade department continues to remind establishments in Cebu to follow the suggested retail price (SRP) list of Noche Buena products.

Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Division chief Zaide Bation shared that their first monitoring report on Noche Buena products showed that only six establishments sold ham and queso de bola since last month.

An assessment on Noche Buena products sold in establishments was simultaneously conducted by the different DTI offices nationwide last November 5.

It is good to note, Bation added, that almost all of  the retailers complied to sell these products at SRP level.

She clarified that the Noche Buena products do not belong under the categories of basic necessities and prime commodities, thus the price freeze is not imposed on the former.

She cited that retailers who do not follow the mandated SRP prices on Noche Buena products will be called by DTI to explain their side and to require them to abide.

She said that a team from DTI-CPO will be deployed again next week to monitor the prices of the same items in the market.

DTI-CPO has released a list of the SRPs for Noche Buena products to the retailers and establishments in Cebu as of October 28.

These items include ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, queso de bola, pasta, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and creamer.

While almost all of the Noche Buena products maintained their normal prices to date, only CDO FoodSphere Inc. implemented a price rollback for its CDO pear-shaped ham that weighs about 800 grams.

Effective last November 22, it has decreased to P189 from the regular price of  P195. Prices of other ham products of CDO FoodSphere Inc. have remained the same.

Further, DTI-CPO advised consumers to examine the expiry date and the price tag of the product prior to purchase and carefully check and compare the weights of competing brands.

Bation encouraged the public to ensure that the item or shelf price and the price at the cashier are the same. If prices differ, the buyer should pay the lesser amount.

She also encouraged the consuming public to maintain their buying habits and advised them not to worry on the supply of these items.

Despite the series of calamities that recently struck the country, Bation remains hopeful that sales of Noche Buena products will gradually increase since she believes that celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ has been customary among Filipinos.

“Naa gihapon mopalit aron ika-andam sa ilang gamay nga hikay. Kita ra bang mga Pilipino mag-celebrate man gihapon agi og pasalamat nga nakasugakod ta sa mga kalamidad,” (It is innate among Filipinos to spend and prepare for Noche Buena as we celebrate and give thanks that we have survived the calamities) she stated.

Lean demand

While some grocery store owners lamented on lean sales even as the Christmas season has already kicked off, other supermarket operators remain optimistic that the demand for Noche Buena products will eventually pick up in the coming days.

Prince Warehouse Club president and chief executive officer Robert Go said that less sales in Noche Buena products is already expected this year compared to the past years considering the tragedies that had occurred.

He added that it may be possible that establishments will even experience excesses in stocks of these Noche Buena products since the buying public is not in the mood yet for the anticipated time of the year.

“This year will be different,” he told The FREEMAN.

He said that unlike before, until now most Filipinos, especially those who have been directly hit by the calamities, have not felt the Christmas spirit.

Evident to such are the cancellations of Christmas parties of companies and organizations who have instead allocated their budget to relief donations to typhoon victims.

Go said that instead of Noche Buena products, relief items such as mosquito nets, blankets and towels pose higher demand from the market to be distributed as relief to ravaged areas.

He said that the early days of December usually register demand for Christmas trees, lights and decorations. He added that it could be possible that the public will start buying more of the Noche Buena products starting from December 16.

However, SM City Cebu senior public relations manager RJ Leduna said otherwise, adding that the series of calamities have not really affected the purchasing disposition of the consumers in buying for Christmas.

He said that it is early to say for now but the demand for Noche Buena products is slowly picking up in their supermarket.

He also assured the public that they have ample supply for these items. Among the common purchases, SM City Cebu Supermarket has identified Christmas hams, pasta, spaghetti sauce, fruit cocktails, graham crackers, cheese, all-purpose cream, and condensed or evaporated milk. /JOB (FREEMAN)