Prices of candles, basic goods stable ahead of Undas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said prices of candles and other basic goods are stable ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the SGV Tax Symposium yesterday that there is no movement in candle prices so far.

Roque said the prices of other basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) also remain stable.

Apart from candles, the other BNPCs are canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry soap, toilet soap, salt, batteries, bottled water and bread.

So far, Roque said the DTI has not received requests for price adjustments.

“For now, no price increase,” she said.

The DTI is planning to convene a meeting with manufacturers of basic goods this week as part of the agency’s monitoring of supply and prices.

Roque said she also plans to visit facilities of sardine and meat firms.

Earlier this month, Roque visited the facility of Nature’s Spring-maker Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc. to check the supply of bottled water in the midst of El Niño.

“For those that are part of the BNPC, we want to check the supply. And then we also want to check their inventory,” she said.

“But for now, there’s no need to panic. The prices of BNPCs within the list of the DTI are stable,” Roque said.