Christmas Product Manufacturers, Retailers Urged Not to Increase Prices

Different manufacturers and retailers of Christmas products were urged by the Department of Trade and Industry to hold off on the usual price hikes during the Christmas season.

DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said during the Laging Handa public briefing Thursday that keeping the price of Christmas products as is will prove to be a great relief for Filipinos as the country celebrates the second-straight Christmas season amid a pandemic.

Castelo also said that the DTI also convinced manufacturers and retailers to maintain their 2019 suggested retail prices (SRPs).

Moreover, DTI is expected to release the SRP list for Noche Buena items by October’s end to the beginning of November.

Castelo assured the public that the agency is keeping a vigilant eye in the monitoring of the prices of basic commodities daily and issues a letter of inquiry immediately for every reported product price increase that is beyond the list of SRPs. (GFB)