DTI assures stable prices of basic goods in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - An official from the Department of Trade and Industry - Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) assured that prices of prime commodities are within stable levels amid reports of escalating prices of agricultural and fishery products due to cold temperatures.

Based on the latest price monitoring as of January 24, basic necessities in Cebu are still sold within the suggested retail prices (SRPs) set by the trade department, according to Zaide Bation, who heads DTI-CPO consumer welfare and business regulation division.

Bation noted that the market has reported price stability in the past weeks even after the price freeze was imposed following the twin calamities that struck the country.

"Cebu has been enjoying price stability on the basic necessities and prime commodities in the market recently," she said.

A can of 155-gram sardines of several brands still ranges P13 to P13.75, while a pack of 55-gram instant noodles in various flavors is priced P6.25 to P7.10.

For processed and canned pork products, brands of luncheon meat weighing in 165 grams are pegged at P27.50 to P30.55, while a 150-gram can of meat loaf is tagged P15.25 to P21.50.

Under the category of processed and canned beef products, a 150-gram of corned beef is priced P24.25 to P46.75, while brands of beef loaf of the same weight are selling at P15 to P18.60.

Two brands of regular loafed bread weighing 400 grams are priced at P46 and P49.50 while another brand of loafed bread that weighs 450 grams is priced at P37.

The Pinoy pandesal at 250 grams, on the other hand, is still priced at P2.

DTI-CPO usually evaluates price movements of the basic and prime commodities in the local market Fridays of every week.

The evaluations cover prices of canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, detergents, bread, salt, flour, processed pork and beef, noodles, condiments, toilet soaps, batteries, candles school supplies, and construction and electrical materials.

In conducting the price monitoring evaluation, DTI representatives personally visit various establishments and inspect the pricing rates of the manufacturers and retailers.

The recent evaluation will then be compared in the price monitoring reports in the past months.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA-7) reported price increase of some agricultural commodities due to the limited supply of vegetables and fishery products brought about by the weeklong torrential rains and cloudy skies.

DA-7 conducts a daily retail price monitoring report in Cebu City among vendors in Carbon Public Market and Pasil Wet Market.

Starting on the first week of January, DA-7 has recorded a price hike of 50 to 100 percent on agricultural products, particularly fish and vegetables. These specifically include ampalaya, string beans, eggplants, anduhaw and bangus.

However, the prices for other agricultural commodities such as commercial rice, meat and poultry, corn grits and other basic necessities have remained within the suggested range  as supply has not been affected that much as to adjust prevailing market prices. /JMD (FREEMAN)