DTI: Prices of basic, prime items in NegOcc ‘stable’

THE prices of basic and prime commodities in Negros Occidental being monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have remained stable amid the reported series of increases in the prices of fuel.

The General Alliance of Workers Association (Gawa) had earlier said the labor sector is mulling to file a petition for wage increase due to the unabated increases in the prices of petroleum products, which they believed will impact negatively to the cost of basic goods and services, affecting mainly the workers.

Reginald Hudierez, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said they have not yet monitored significant changes in the prices of both basic and prime commodities in the province, particularly in Bacolod City.

“If there are movements, the prices are still within the suggested retail prices (SRPs)," he added.

Based on the August 2017 monitoring of DTI-Negros Occidental, a copy of which was obtained by SunStar Bacolod, the prices of sardines are still within SRPs ranging from P12 to P13.45 depending on net weight and brand.

For other basic necessities, processed or condensed milk has SRPs of P53.70 to P66.10; evaporated milk, P38.15 to P52.80; and powdered milk, P45.75 to P73.30.

Prices of coffee range from P16.75 to P39.40 for 25 grams and 50 grams of various brands while bread costs P21.50 to P35 depending on net weight and brand.

The SRPs for 55 grams of instant noodles range from P6.30 to P7.30.

Detergent or laundry soap costs P16.35 to P20.50 which also varies on weight and brand.

For prime commodities, luncheon meat costs P27.50 to P30.55; meat loaf, P15.50 to P18.60; corned beef, P25 to P33.50; and beef loaf, P15.75 to P24.90, all depending on net weight and brand.

Condiments have SRPs for 350 milliliter (ml) vinegar range from P10.40 to P14; 350 ml of patis, P16.80 to P23; and 340 ml of soy sauce, P14.05 to P16.50.

Prices of batteries are also within SRPs ranging from 26.50 to P167 depending on size and brand.

Other products monitored by the DTI include bottled distilled water with SRPs ranging from P6 to P81; purified water, P5 to P22; and mineralized water, P5 to P72, all depending on volume and brand.

Candles cost P27.50 to P136.50, depending on brand and number of pieces per pack.

“We will conduct another monitoring on the third week of this month to determine whether there are significant movements in the prices,” Hudierez said.

The DTI has been warning local establishments against adjusting prices, especially those above SRPs, without authority from the agency, he added.

Earlier, Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Western Visayas, said the upsurge in the prices of fuel resulting to higher costs of basic goods and services will constitute the supervening conditions that will merit a wage hike for workers in the region, including Negros Occidental.