Sugar hits P50-level

STARTING December 2009, the price of both white and brown sugar rose by as much as P10.25 per kilo based on the weekly monitoring conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office.

In the last week of December 2009, the DTI noted no movement in the prices of basic commodities in Cagayan de Oro, including white sugar with its price at P44.40 per kilo while brown sugar at P33.10 per kilo.

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But based on DTI’s monitoring as of February 4, white sugar is now pegged at P52.45 per kilo while brown sugar is at P43.35 per kilo.

Since the last week of December, the price of white sugar rose by as much as P8.05 while brown sugar increased by as much as P10.25

However, even with the increase, consumer Mary Ann Solis said she can do nothing but to buy the product because sugar is part of her family’s daily needs.

Aside from sugar, the DTI also noted an increase by as much as 90 centavos on some basic commodities such as canned sardines, powdered filled milk, detergent bar, canned/processed meat, soy cause and bath soaps.

It also noted an increase in the price of flour by as much as P30 per 25-kilogram bag.

However, the DTI also noted a decrease by as much as P7 in the prices of some basic commodities like some brands of laundry soaps, iodized salt, luncheon meat, instant noodles, patis, some brands of bath soap and batteries.

The DTI is conducting regular monitoring on the prices of basic commodities in at least 15 groceries and supermarkets and 10 hardwares in the city to know the movement in the prices of these commodities.

Based on the report, the increase on the prices was still within the suggested retail price (SRP) given by manufacturers.

Earlier, DTI provincial director Ma. Eliza Pabillore said the department would impose penalties on stores found to have increased their products that are beyond the SRP.