PRICES of basic and prime commodities in Negros Occidental, particularly in Bacolod City, being monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have remained stable amid the prevailing effects of El Niño.
Reginald Hudierez, trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said that since January this year, they have not monitored any significant increase in the prices of these products especially in supermarkets and other commercial establishments.
Basic commodities under DTI’s monitoring include products like soap, milk, coffee, salt, bread, and sardines. Examples of prime commodities are noodles and all kinds of canned goods except sardines.
According to DTI-Negros Occidental, agriculture products like rice, corn, and sugar are part of basic necessities, but not included in their monitoring.
Hudierez said that if ever there is an increase, it is because of the changes in the suggested retail prices being controlled by the manufacturers with approval of the DTI.
He added that based on their monitoring, the DTI is fairly confident that prices of basic and prime commodities in grocery stores, and supermarkets will remain steady.
“It can only move upward when there is disruption in the supply which can be caused by problem in shipment,” Hudierez said, although he noted that problems in the transport of products most likely happen during typhoons, and not much during El Niño.
Bacolod City has become the trendsetter when it comes to prices of commodities among other local government units in the province, he added.
Hudierez said Bacolod-based manufacturers have their respective distribution centers in the province, and they can control prices and maintain competitiveness in the market.
“When prices of products in Bacolod City are stable, most probably those in other cities and municipalities are relatively the same,” he said, adding that within the week, DTI will again check on the prices to further assess and validate the market situation.
DTI-Negros Occidental is still finalizing the implementation of prize freeze amid the declaration of state of calamity in the province.
Based on Section 6 of the Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, prices in an area proclaimed or declared a disaster area, or under a state of calamity or under an emergency shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.