DTI assures the public of no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) until April 16, with support from manufacturers and retailers

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially clarifies that there will be no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) effective April 1. This assurance follows the DTI’s meeting today with major manufacturers and retailers to hold off on price increases until April 16, 2026, ensuring stability for Filipino consumers amid the ongoing Middle East tensions.

This price stability effort is supported by BNPC manufacturers and retailers who have pledged to absorb current logistics and inventory pressures. The manufacturers include representatives from Alaska Milk Corporation, Chattrade Enterprises, Commonwealth Foods Inc., Century Pacific Food Inc. (CPFI), Ecossential Foods Corp, Sevilla Candle Factory Inc., Lorenzana Food Corp., Monde Nissin, Nestle Philippines, Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., San Miguel Foods, Slord Development Corp., Unilever Philippines Inc., Universal Canning Inc., Universal Robina Corporation, Virginia Food Inc., Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation, and a representative from the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP).

From the retailers’ side, those present are Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc., SM Markets (SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore), Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA).

Following Executive Order No. 110, the DTI is intensifying its nationwide monitoring to ensure these commitments are reflected at the retail level.

The DTI currently maintains jurisdiction over 726 variants of essential products in which 196 SKUs include a Suggested Retail Price (SRP). These include canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry soap, toilet soap, candles, salt, battery, bottled water, and bread.

The complete list of the BNPCs can be accessed through the official SRP bulletin on the DTI website. The list of BNPC products is also available in all supermarkets and groceries and will be published in all DTI social media platforms. END