The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that it does not regulate the prices of Noche Buena items since these are not essential or prime commodities.
However, the agency said that they monitor the prices of these products.
Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo assured the public during a media briefing that the agency is being notified if retailers increase the prices of their Noche Buena items.
“Yung Noche Buena price guide, that is not regulated by government kasi seasonal products ito. They are neither basic nor prime. So ang presyo ay manufacturers ang nagde-decide,” she explained.
“Pero naka-monitor kami na kapag may tumaas na presyo compared sa new prices sa prevailing price, doon kami naa-alert agad,” she added.
The DTI said it posted price hikes on 12 Noche Buena items, such as ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, queso de bola, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, pasta, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and cream.
Earlier, the trade department’s viral infographic post showing that P500 is enough for a simple Noche Buena was mocked online .
— Ronald Espartinez