LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Ilocos Norte assured they will conduct a weekly monitoring of grocery stores following the release of the 2023 Noche Buena price guide to ensure implementation of proper pricing.
Dominador Alberto, officer-in-charge of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI Ilocos Norte, clarified that only groceries and supermarkets are covered in the price guide which means they cannot raise their prices above the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) indicated in the price guide.
He added that the DTI already distributed the copy of the price guide to groceries and supermarkets around the province on November 21 after the release of the price guide.
“Okay naman ang reception nila (grocery stores and supermarkets) sa bagong price guide. Alam naman nila na kung lalabas na itong listahan, ito ang magiging basis ng DTI sa pag-monitor. Inaasahan natin na sa susunod na weekly monitoring naming na naka-base na sa price guide ang presyuhan ng mga stores,” Alberto added.
According to the 2023 Noche Buena price guide, a total of 152 stock keeping units (SKUs) of Noche Buena products increased in prices compared to 2022.
Of this number, 83 SKUs have increased by one to five percent, 37 SKUs increased by five to 10 percent, and 32 SKUs increased by more than 10 percent.
Alberto said price increased in some brands of ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, keso de bola, mayonnaise, all-purpose cream, sandwich spread, pasta, elbow macaroni, and tomato sauce.
Moreover, 37 SKUs have maintained their original prices from last year and 23 SKUs have lowered their prices.
In cases where consumers see over-pricing in products in the grocery store or supermarkets, Dominador advised they could report it to the DTI Ilocos Norte
Dominador Alberto (left), officer in charge of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI Ilocos Norte served as guest during the online Danggay iti Panagdur-as radio program of PIA Ilocos Norte to discuss the 2023 Noche Buena price guide on November 23. (EJFG)
through their hotline 772-2332, message their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DTI.IlocosNorteOffice or directly to their provincial office at the second floor of the Jomel Corporate Building, D. Samonte St., Barangay 14, in Laoag City. (JCR/MJTAB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
