DTI to millers: Slash flour prices

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered 11 flour millers, including San Miguel Mills Inc. and Universal Robina Corp., to cut their prices by as much as P160 per bag.

In its order dated June 11, the DTI’s National Capital Region Legal and Consumer Affairs Center said the millers should “suspend the distribution and refrain from selling ex-mill flour at the price range of P770 to P790 per bag and to reduce it to P630 to P680 per bag during the pendency of the present case.” The millers may appeal the order with the DTI.

Bread makers have estimated that every P40 decrease in the price of flour could translate to P1 cut in the price of a loaf of bread and 50 centavo for a 10-pack pan de sal.

The flour millers were given 10 days to comment on the order.

Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said failure or refusal of the flour millers to follow DTI’s order would mean additional penalties for them.

Aside from San Miguel and URC, the flour millers are Delta Milling Industries Inc., Morning Star Milling Corp., Philippine Foremost Milling Corp., General Milling Corp., Liberty Flour Mills, Pilmico Foods Corp., Phil Flour Mills, Republic Flour Milling Corp., and Wellington Flour Mills.

Maglaya said the order was effective immediately. She said most of the millers received the order last Friday while the rest got theirs last Monday.

“They can always file for a continuance but I think it would be better for them if they air their side,” Maglaya said.