Trade Chief Encourages Consumers to Buy Local and Provides Christmas-Saving Tips

Christmas holidays traditionally bring Filipino families, relatives, and friends together. But how do we celebrate this special occasion without overspending on food or groceries for Noche Buena amid rising prices?

"To provide necessary guidance to our consumers and help them make informed choices, the DTI will continue to monitor the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities this Christmas season. We want to ensure that Filipino families have access to reasonably-priced goods and be able to have a bountiful celebration despite the current global development affecting prices of commodities", Trade Secretary Fred Pascual said during the pilot run of the Ikot Palengke Program of DTI held on 23 November 2022 in select supermarkets and public markets in Marikina City.

"It is important to keep track of your budget, spending habits, and know where to look for the best deals", he added, before offering some tips on how consumers can spend wisely this holiday season.

Tip No. 1: Plan what you will purchase ahead of time. Prepare a budget before you start shopping. Determine how much you can afford to spend on Christmas to avoid overspending, and then make a list of all your holiday commitments, including gifts, decorations, and travel.

Tip No. 2: Take advantage of the holiday season's sales, promos, and discounts. Select groceries and supermarkets usually offer promos, discounts, and sales during the holiday season. Taking advantage of this will help you save up and even acquire cashback offers.

Tips No.3: Use the DTI Suggested Retail Price (SRP) Bulletin and Noche Buena Price Guide found on the DTI website to help you find the best value for money. There are brands that are cheaper and more affordable to meet your budget and needs.

Tip No. 4: Patronize the Diskwento Caravan (DC) or Rolling Store Caravans (RSC), which is still being conducted nationwide to bring quality BNPCs to consumers at a lower cost. DC or RSC is a DTI initiative in partnership with manufacturers and retailers of basic necessities and prime commodities. Through RSC, producers and manufacturers can sell agricultural and manufactured BNPCs directly to consumers at a lower price. This initiative lowers prices by 10% up to 15% from the SRP. Truly, it is “Presyong Panalo para sa Mamimiling Pilipino”.

Tip No. 5: Visit and participate in the Kadiwa ng Pasko (KnP) Trade Fairs, which aim to provide cheap and affordable agricultural products such as rice, sugar, vegetables, fruits, fresh meat products (pork, beef and chicken), fish and other seafood products, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, local bags and footwear.

Secretary Pascual stressed that, “By shopping at the Kadiwa ng Pasko Centers, you are also supporting our local farmers, fishermen, manufacturers, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).” Further, he announced the following schedules of the KnP Trade Fairs where producers and manufacturers will be selling essential foods at low prices in the NCR and across different regions as shown below:

The Trade Chief has pledged his full support to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s efforts to permanently establish Kadiwa rolling stores in every barangay across the country. This project is a revival of the original KADIWA program from the early 1980s, which was a farm-to-market supply chain and food distribution program that benefited low-income families.

"These rolling stores will help many consumers buy basic necessities like food products at lower prices, so keep an eye on the DTI Consumer Care Facebook page for the updated schedules of Kadiwa ng Pasko Trade Fairs and Rolling Stores Caravans which will be sustained until 2023", Secretary Pascual added.

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.

No Price Hike for 134 Noche Buena Products, 6 Products Have Decreased Prices – DTI Chief

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that a total of 134 Noche Buena products have maintained its prices while six products have lower prices this 2019 compared to last year’s suggested retail price (SRP) list.

In a 2018 versus 2019 comparative SRPs of Noche Buena products released by the agency, 134 product lines such as keso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, as well as creamer products have maintained their prices since last year.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez shared this news amidst the recent reports that there are 92 products that have increased their prices. Every year there are increases for a few premium brands, and most would have minimal increases. However, brands for mass-based markets don’t usually change. “This is due to their fear of competition and the probability of losing market share in a price sensitive segment,” said the trade chief.

Six products -- which include keso de bola, pasta spaghetti, and tomato sauce --even lowered their prices by Php 11. These are Danes Cheese Ball, Amigo Segurado Spaghetti, La Filipina Spaghetti, Del Monte Filipino Style and Original tomato sauce.

Meanwhile, among the 134 products with no price increase, nine were keso de bola (Ques-O, Magnolia, Che-Vital, and Danes); 11 were cheese (Eden, Danes Classic, Kraft Cheddar, Che-Vital quickmelt); 14 were sandwich spread (Eden, Cheez Whiz, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 14 mayonnaise products (Eden, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 13 pasta spaghetti products (El Real, Fiesta, La Filipina, Royal, Sunshine, Ideal Gourmet, Balducci, San Remo); 17 were elbow and salad macaroni (Sunshine, Fiesta, Ideal Gourmet, Royal); 19 spaghetti sauce products (Amigo Segurado, UFC, Del Monte, Sunshine, Fiesta, Royal); 10 tomato sauce (UFC, Del Monte, Amigo); and three creamer products (Angel Krem, Alaska Crema Combi and Asada).

Ham manufacturers have introduced new sizes for some of their products. These variations are available in smaller packs, which offer lower cash out for consumers.

Smart tips from the trade chief

DTI recently issued the SRPs of Noche Buena products, which serve as price guide for consumers as they prepare for the holidays. Noche Buena products are not considered part of the basic necessities and prime commodities, and they are not under price control.

To help consumers, Sec. Lopez shared smart tips for Noche Buena and Media Noche shopping.

1. Prepare your shopping list using the SRP list at www.dti.gov.ph before going to the leading supermarket in your area. You can also check it via the e-Presyo mobile app. The trade chief advised consumers to purchase their Noche Buena and Media Noche needs at supermarkets, as the prices there are monitored by DTI.
2. Watch out for promo bundle packs in the promo section. Most of food manufacturing companies offer bundle packs of Noche Buena products, which provide savings. Some of these bundle packs include spaghetti pasta with sauce and cheese, macaroni with mayonnaise and fruit cocktail, among others.
3. Look for products that are not expiring soon.

“Most importantly, I advise consumers to choose the products they find value for themselves and their family. It is advised to do the Christmas grocery shopping early and avoid the holiday rush,” shared Sec. Lopez.

“DTI would like to ensure that consumers will always have the value-for-money product and brand options that they can choose from, especially this Christmas season,” the trade chief concluded.

Prices of Noche Buena products remain stable - Sec. Lopez

Amidst reports of price adjustments of some brands of hams and cheese products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported the assurance of majority of producers that supply and prices of Noche Buena products such as pasta, sauce, bread, and hams remains stable. 

DTI made the announcement after convening with manufacturers to check the price and supply situation of Noche Buena products. DTI annually meets with manufacturers of Noche Buena goods in preparation for the upcoming Yuletide season when demands are at its peak.

“Several manufacturers assured adequate supply and stability in prices for the coming season, mainly due to the very tight competition among various brands fighting for market shares,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

The trade chief shared that market competition has enabled businesses to do creative product promotions such as bundling and discounts for the whole package. For example, sauces were bundled with pastas and sold at more affordable prices.

“This is competition at play. Even in the ham category, products are so competitive that discounts are being given and several variants that serve different market segments are being offered with affordable pricing,” added Sec. Lopez.

Several meetings with Noche Buena product players also confirmed that there will be no price increase for pasta, sauces, cheese, ham, and canned tuna until December 2017.

On the other hand, a premium brand of bread increased its price by only one peso per loaf while other brands of bread have kept their prices stable as of October this year.

Trade Secretary Lopez encouraged consumers to use “e-Presyo”, an online based price monitoring platform, to be guided while buying their Noche Buena products for the Christmas Season. 

*This is Press Release