SHOP EARLY TO AVOID VIRUS: DTI advises public to buy ‘Noche Buena’ food ahead of time

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

The Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo (DTI-Iloilo) on Saturday advised the public to buy “Noche Buena” food items on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve earlier than the usual to avoid being exposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

DTI-Iloilo OIC Provincial Director Felisa Judith Degala told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Saturday that the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of processed food products shall remain the same in time for the long holiday season.

The SRPs for this year was released on Oct. 31 and took effect on Nov. 9.

The list covers processed food products commonly used for Noche Buena and New Year’s Eve, such as Queso De Bola, hamon, fruit cocktails, cheese products, and mayonnaise, among others.

The DTI’s jurisdiction under Republic Act No. 7581 (The Price Act) only extends to processed food products, whereas fresh products such as meat and vegetables are monitored by the Department of Agricture (DA).

Daily Guardian confirmed that there were no price changes in Noche Buena products between 2019 and 2020.

The price lists are available in DTI’s e-Presyo page (https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/e-presyo/).

The only difference for this year is the effectivity of some products’ SRP, with one creamer brand starting on Nov. 15, two fruit cocktail brands becoming effective only starting tomorrow, Dec. 1, and another fruit cocktail brand starting on Dec. 15.

The SRPs of these brands will end on Dec. 31.

Degala said that the retention of the SRPs for this year was due to the DTI’s plea to manufacturers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think the DTI’s plea to our manufacturers to let the Christmas season pass so that it wouldn’t gravely affect our consumers who all want to be able to serve food on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We have asked manufacturers that for this 2020 they should refrain from increasing the prices,” Degala told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.

She added that despite prices not moving, retailers have raised concerns on low sales turnout compared to the same time last year.

“We were able to talk with the managers and supervisors of our supermarkets, they were complaining that Noche Buena products were not selling as much as it did in the past years. There is a slow movement of products nowadays,” added Degala.

She encouraged consumers to the buy their ingredients early, warning that it would be difficult to observe health protocols if they observe the same “holiday rush” occurring every year.

“That’s why we want to tell our consumers that if they want to buy Noche Buena products, they should buy as early, because if they would wait until nearly Christmas or New Year, where many will also be buying, it would be difficult to observe the health protocols,” she said.

Degala also said that buying early would provide better opportunities for consumers to choose between their preferred brands.

“They can exercise their right to choose better if they buy early with only fewer people buying, because they would have the time and opportunity to choose. Although all products are covered by the SRP, the SRP is the ceiling price. There are still some brands which are selling at a lower price. If one is a budget-conscious and wants to get the best value for money, it would be better if they have more choices,” Degala said.

As to their process of monitoring, Degala explained that they have hired five monitors on a contractual basis to monitor supermarkets and grocery stores in Iloilo City.

Outside the city, the DTI’s Negosyo Centers have Business Counselors who, aside from provide assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), are also tasked to monitor retail prices in their local areas.