THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has received a notice of price adjustment from the manufacturers of sardines, meat loaf, corned beef, coffee, and soap.
The DTI said it is studying the matter but it will strive to make the items still reasonably priced for the benefit of consumers, according to a report by Bernadette Reyes on GMA Integrated News’ Saksi on Friday.
It was in August 2022 when the DTI last issued a suggested retail price (SRP) guide for some items.
On Friday, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Senator Mark Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, went to some supermarkets in Makati City to conduct an inspection.
They found out that the items being sold followed the SRP or were even lower.
Pascual and Villar also went to Guadalupe Market in Makati City to check on the products of agricultural products.
The DTI secretary said they want to make a database to closely monitor the demand and supply of agricultural items.
“Ilan ba talagang toneladang sibuyas ang naha-harvest natin? At ilan ang demand total? Ilan ang shortage na kailangang ma-meet at kung sakali ng import? So kailangan gagawing digitalized system ‘yan,” Pascual said.
“Kung may buffer stock na kontrolado ng gobyerno, ang tingin ko, ‘yung mga traders, hindi magkakalakas loob na mag-hoard at mag-manipulate ng price,” he added.
