No price hike on basic goods until December 31

MANILA, Philippines —  Prices of basic goods will hold steady until the end of the year, following commitments made by manufacturers with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“(There will be) no price increase up to Dec. 31, 2026,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the National Trade Fair Coconut Philippines yesterday.

She said this applies to all basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) part of the DTI’s list following a meeting with manufacturers.

BNPCs part of the DTI’s jurisdiction are canned sardines, milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent or laundry soap, bottled water, candles, luncheon meat, meat loaf, corned beef, beef loaf, vinegar, patis (fish sauce), soy sauce, toilet soap and batteries.

Roque said the manufacturers are keeping prices stable despite high costs of fuel and raw materials.

As manufacturers also assured the DTI of sufficient supply, she said there is no need to panic or to hoard these products.

While BNPC prices will remain stable until yearend, she said that a separate meeting will be held with manufacturers to discuss prices of Noche Buena products or those used for the preparation of the Christmas Eve meal.

The DTI intends to ask manufacturers to also maintain prices of Noche Buena items.

“We want to keep all prices stable, but it’s best for us to meet so I can’t commit yet now until I talk to them,” Roque said.

Amid the El Niño, she said farmers can avail of existing loan facilities under the DTI’s financing arm, the Small Business Corp.