DTI: Tips on Buying Noche Buena Products

Iloilo City (PIA6) – – The Department of Trade and Industry 6 (DTI 6) has three tips for consumers when buying noche buena products as the traditional noche buena comes nearer.

DTI 6 Trade Development Division Chief Judith Degala said noche buena products included in their price monitoring are ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta/spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and creamer.

Before buying, Degala advised consumers to examine the expiry or best before date and the price tag of the noche buena products. Although, all are food products, Degala was more particular on ham.

Another factor to keep in mind when buying is to ensure that the item’s shelf price and at the cashier are the same.

Degala said sometimes because of the volume of merchandise that establishments have to take care of, error in pricing could not be avoided and “when that incident occurs, you have to right to pay for the lesser amount”.

She also advised consumers to carefully check and compare the weights of competing brands.

“If they are conscious of their budgets, these are the things they have to consider to be able to get the best value for their money”, said Degala.

Early this month, DTI 6 distributed posters containing the list of Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of noche buena products in major establishments in Iloilo and the other provinces in the region that will serve as guide or reference not only of consumers but as well as retailers.

The SRP could also be accessed at the DTI website at www.dti.gov.ph.

Degala said retailers not compliant with the SRP for noche buena will be asked to explain and will be issued Show Cause Order.

As of December 17, DTI 6 has not received any complaints about lack of supply from retailers. Degala said this is because there are already many players in the market. She cited that in one type of product there are at least four brands for consumers to choose from. (JCM/LAF/PIA6-iloilo)