Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of manufacturers will not raise prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in the next 30 days despite oil price shocks, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said on Wednesday, March 18.
Roque said the commitment was made in a recent meeting as the government tries to keep prices at affordable levels even if rising fuel prices may drive up logistics costs.
In a statement, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said manufacturers pledged no price hikes for the following:
- canned sardines such as Unipak, 555, Ligo, Lucky 7, Fresca, Morjon, Golden Town, and Mega
- bread products such as Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal
- bottled water such as Wilkins and Nature’s Spring
- toilet and laundry soaps such as Safeguard Pure White, Tide Bar Original Scent, and Green Cross Pure White
- condiments such as Datu Puti’s soy sauce and vinegar, and Lorins’ Patis
- processed canned meat of CDO
- and candles from Liwanag.
The DTI said manufacturers of brands such as Lucky Me, Ho-Mi, Argentina, Lucky 7, 555, Swift Premium, Wow!, and Shanghai said they will keep their prices for two months.
“[S]ome manufacturers of brands such as Kopiko, Nescafe, San Mig coffee 3-in1, and Export candle have pledged to maintain current prices with no price increase for the time being,” the DTI release read.
However, Roque could not guarantee that this commitment would hold in a prolonged Middle East conflict.
“That’s beyond our control. But we will be meeting on a weekly, on an every two-week basis, just to make sure that we know what the movements of the food are,” she told reporters.
“Rest assured daily basis kami nagche-check [we’re checking] sa groceries and supermarkets nationwide to make sure that the basic necessities and prime commodities have no price increase,” she said.
