PRICE CHECK. A grocery store in Bacolod City. Monitoring of the Department of Trade and Industry showed on Tuesday (June 23, 2020) that establishments in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are generally compliant with the suggested retail prices for basic necessities and prime commodities. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has observed that establishments in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are generally compliant with the suggested retail prices (SRPs) for necessities and prime commodities amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
Rachel Nufable, officer-in-charge of DTI-Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday they monitor the prices based on the SRPs and submit the results to the local price coordinating council.
Although there are few stores with prices slightly higher than the SRPs, stores in the provinces are generally compliant, she added.
A prize freeze was implemented after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of public health emergency on March 8 due to Covid-19.
The automatic price control (APC) or prize freeze was lifted on May 16.
Nufable said they send letters to establishments with prices slightly higher than the SRPs, asking them to explain.
“But stores in the provinces are generally compliant (with) the SRPs. Supplies are also sufficient,” she added.
After the APC has been lifted, DTI-Negros Occidental continued to use the SRPs issued by the agency in September 2019.
Based on the guidelines for basic necessities, the prices of 130 grams to 155 grams of canned sardines range from PHP13.25 to PHP17.25 depending on the brand.
Prices of condensed milk are pegged at PHP57 to PHP72; condensada, PHP26 to PHP54.50; evaporated milk, PHP20.50 to PHP57; evaporada, PHP21 to PHP26.25; and powdered milk, PHP43.59 to PHP73.30, depending on the brand and net weight.
For bread, a loaf costs PHP21.50 to PHP36 while pandesal, PHP37 per pack of 10 pieces.
Detergent or laundry soap bar costs between PHP16.35 and PHP21, depending on the brand.
Prime commodities covered by the DTI include luncheon meat, meatloaf, corned beef, beef loaf, vinegar, patis, and soy sauce.
Under the September 2019 SRPs, 165 grams of luncheon meat costs at least PHP32.50; meatloaf, PHP16.30 to PHP19.80; corned beef, PHP18.50 to PHP37; and beef loaf, PHP15.75 to PHP24.90, all depending on the brand and net weight.
Prices of vinegar range from PHP6.75 to PHP14.95; patis (fish sauce) PHP9.90 to PHP18.25; and soy sauce, PHP9.20 to PHP17.40, also depending on the brand and net weight. (PNA)
