Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there will be no price increase on basic necessities and prime commodities in major groceries and supermarkets nationwide until May 10, following fresh commitments from manufacturers.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the extension comes as firms agreed to defer price hikes despite rising costs.
“Whatever decrease in cost will always help,” Roque said during a market monitoring activity in Muntinlupa, citing recent fuel price rollbacks as a key factor in securing another extension.
The latest timeline extends earlier commitments by manufacturers, who initially agreed to hold prices steady until April 16. This was later moved to April 30 before being pushed further to May 10.
Roque said the arrangement ensures that prices of basic goods remain stable, even without a formal price freeze in place.
Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, automatic price controls are imposed only under specific conditions such as a state of calamity or similar emergency declarations.
Despite the absence of such controls, the DTI said it continues to monitor prices and coordinate closely with manufacturers and retailers to prevent unwarranted increases.
The agency tracks hundreds of essential goods, including around 196 stock-keeping units covered by suggested retail prices.
These include canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry and toilet soap, candles, salt, batteries, bottled water and bread.
