DTI’s “Ikot Palengke” rounds Manila, Watches Over Prices of Noche Buena Staples

Through the team’s price monitoring, Undersecretary Castelo affirmed that the monitored supermarkets comply with the Noche Buena Price Guide. Likewise, all Shelf Keeping Units (SKUs) including Noche Buena items have appropriate price tags.

Upon surveying the prices and supply of Christmas staples, Undersecretary Castelo encouraged consumers to buy in bundles, as this buying scheme provides more affordable alternatives. Further, through product bundling, the buying experience of consumers is simplified.

Aside from the Noche Buena products, the “Ikot Palengke” program manned by the price monitoring task force of Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) also inspected the following (1) Prices and supply of processed and agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs); (2) Accuracy of weights and measures; and (3) Appropriate price tags.

Trade Secretary Fred Pascual steered the pilot run of “Ikot Palengke” in Marikina City to monitor the supply and prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and to prevent abusive business practices like illegal price manipulation and profiteering.

“As we get busy in preparation for the upcoming holidays, we remind our Filipino consumers to exercise their right to choose. Sa darating na Kapaskuhan at sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon, patuloy ang pagbabantay natin sa presyo at suplay ng mga pangunahin bilihin para masiguro ang mura at masaganang salu-salo para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino”, the Trade Chief assured the consuming public.

The DTI released the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) Bulletin on 12 August 2022; while the Noche Buena Price Guide was released on 23 November 2022.

With the recent Noche Buena Price Guide, Secretary Pascual ensured that he will utilize all possible means to ensure that the prices of BNPCs in the SRP bulletin will not move until after the holiday season.

"We want to make sure that consumers will have access to reasonably-priced goods. Soon, we will conduct a meeting with manufacturers and various companies to possibly come up with solutions that are not only beneficial for them, considering the rising cost of production but most especially for consumers", Pascual said.

Price bulletins and guides aim to boost consumer education by guiding the consuming public in making informed purchases.

The DTI-FTEB conducts weekly monitoring of the price and supply of basic necessities such as, but not limited to, canned sardines, processed milk, powdered milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water, and candles; and prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, batteries, flour, cement, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires. Likewise, through the Ikot Palengke Program of DTI, the team will also conduct monitoring of Christmas staples until New Year.

The DTI urges consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

RICE TARIFFICATION LAW LED TO RECORD-LOW RICE PRICES IN SEVEN YEARS - DTI CHIEF

Manila - During the press conference updating the public on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez lauded the “game-changing” measure for bringing down retail prices of regular milled rice and well-milled rice to a seven-year low since the start of its implementation last March 5, 2019.

“From the DTI perspective, we are always after the impact on the consumers. We’ve been watching closely and helping temper prices of rice. We are glad to report that with the Rice Tariffication Law, we really see a huge difference from the record-high average price of regular milled rice at Php41/kg and well-milled rice at Php49/kg in September 2018,” said Sec. Lopez.

Based on data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average price of regular milled rice was recorded at Php36.32/kg while the average price of well-milled rice was at Php41.23/kg during the first three weeks of February. The retail price of regular milled rice was at the lowest since December 2013 when it stood at Php36.18/kg, while the retail price of well-milled rice was at the lowest since May 2016 when it hit Php41.19/kg.

Sec. Lopez even shared that during their price monitoring rounds in groceries and wet markets, he and his team saw well-milled rice prices ranging from Php36 to Php38 per kilo with some selling at Php34/kg when purchasing 10 kilos

The trade secretary expressed optimism that the Law would see the “best to come” in the coming years given the biggest Php10billion fund that will support farmers in improving their productivity and lowering their production cost; thus, increasing their income.

Among the provisions of the Rice Tariffication Law is the Php10-billion Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which provides programs to improve agricultural productivity, competitiveness, and profitability.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar explained that the funds will be used to help mechanize operations, distribute certified seeds, provide trainings, and assist in financing.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), during the first seven months of implementation until December 2018, the revenues from the imposed tariffs reached Php12.3 billion. Agriculture Secretary Dar reported that the additional Php2.3 billion will be used for crop diversification and insurance that will help farmers increase profits.

“Aside from the direct benefit to consumers and farmers, RTL was instrumental at curbing inflation from the record-high 6.7 percent in October 2018, which was outside the government’s target rate of 2.0-4.0 percent, to 0.8 percent in October 2019, the slowest pace in over three years,” explained Sec. Lopez.

Meanwhile, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla highlighted the impact of rice prices in the overall inflation, reporting that in October 2018, rice inflation was at 10.7 percent while rice inflation in October 2019 was posted at -9.7 percent. In January 2020, headline inflation was recorded at 2.9 percent, well within the government’s target, while rice inflation was posted at -6.5 percent.

“We can see that the benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law are not just felt by consumers, but also by farmers, producers, and the overall economy. Tunay ngang sa Rice Tariffication Law, ang bayan ang panalo,” said Sec. Lopez.

DTI, GOOGLE, TIE UP FOR MSME DIGITALIZATION

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) finally inked deal with Google Philippines in upgrading the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the power of digitalization, creating a strong online presence and training them on digital skills to grow their businesses globally.

Through Google’s MSME Caravan, the goal is to conduct training sessions among MSMEs nationwide so they can be well-informed of the digital landscape, latest consumer insights and tools such as Google My Business, a free online listing on Google maps and Search to help MSMEs connect with more consumers in the digital space.

Google will train MSMEs build their online presence, control their business information, and create a free website and posts.

The series of workshops have already started, training more than 2,780 MSMEs in over 20 cities across eight regions nationwide.

“DTI shares same vision of Google on enhancing the skills of our entrepreneurs to become digital-savvy. That’s why we want to thank Google for this program that lets MSMEs maximize Google My Business to manage their online presence in Google Search and Google Maps. We laud them for their program goal of trying to reach 500,000 businesses by 2020 from the current 125,000 businesses registered in Google My Business,” expressed Trade Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, speaking on behalf of Secretary Ramon Lopez during the launch of MSME Caravan at the Google Philippines Office, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last February 26, 2020.

DTI and Google target to reach more throughout 2020 as empowering MSMEs plays a vital role in driving the economy forward.

“Filipino MSMEs have the drive, the passion and the dedication to succeed. Combine that with the new tools and opportunities of the internet, and there is no limit on what’s possible for them! We hope that the MSME Caravan will help bring on board more trainees, visit more communities, and give more business owners the digital skills they need,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.

DA, DTI, DILG Enforce Suggested Retail Price on Agri Products

QUEZON CITY – The Departments of Trade (DTI), Agriculture (DA), Local Government (DILG), and the Quezon City Local Government conducted a joint price monitoring last 24 February at Mega Q Mart to enforce the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) of ten agriculture products for all Metro Manila markets.

Letters of inquiry were issued to two market vendors of chicken for overpricing and one sugar vendor for the lack of price tags/signages. Vendors have 48 hours to answer these letters or else, they will be given penalties which can range from PHP5,000 to PHP1,000,000, according to the Price Act.

“The effectiveness of the SRP implementation is dependent first on good information campaign and the cooperation among DA, DTI and the DILG with the local government units concerned, since they are the ones who supervise to the market masters in the public markets. For the retailers to comply with the SRP, the market masters must check if the traders entering their markets as well as the retailers are overpricing,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“In chicken for instance, if the retail price is PHP 130, the wholesale price from the trader should not be higher than PHP 110 to give the market vendors enough margins to sell at SRP of PHP 130,” he added.

DA Secretary Dar added that the price change from farmgate to retail should not be more than 60%.

Under the DA Administrative Circular 01 issued on 20 February 2020, all Metro Manila markets should follow the SRPs for selected food items, namely: pork (pigue/kasim) – PHP 190; chicken (whole, dressed) – PHP 130; sugar (raw, brown) – PHP 45; sugar (refined) – PHP 50; bangus (cage-cultured) – PHP 162; tilapia (pond-cultured) – PHP 120; galunggong (imported) – PHP 130; garlic (imported) – PHP 70; garlic (local) – PHP 120; and red onion (imported) – PHP 95.

“This is a call to all traders and retailers in all Metro Manila markets. We now have the suggested retail prices for [these] food commodities. The monitoring and surveillance are a multi-government department approach, to include the local government unit concerned. Please, let’s strictly observe the SRP,” said Secretary Dar.

Consumers can report violating retailers to DTI through the 1-DTI (1-384) hotline. Otherwise, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said they can also approach the police or the local action centers of their cities or municipalities.

Aside from the retail price, the three agencies are now looking into enforcing a suggested wholesale price to monitor the traders.