BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
Every week, Francy shops at the market. She stretches her 2,000 pesos to buy rice, canned goods, sugar, and other household necessities.
“For one week, it’s hard, we barely get by,” said Francy, a Shopper.
Letecia, another shopper, has a 1,000 pesos budget but is already complaining about the rising prices at the market.
“The prices of goods, like sardines, have gone up, so I just buy vegetables without any additional ingredients,” said Letecia, Shopper.
Despite the increase in prices, Letecia says their budget can still manage in February, as 63 basic products are expected to increase in price, including canned goods, bread, candles, batteries, coffee, and milk.
DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer Roque explained that 72% of the 217 basic goods will not see any price changes.
Only the remaining 28% of products will see a price increase of up to 5%. This is attributed to the rising cost of raw materials purchased by manufacturers.
According to DTI Sec. Cristina Roque, “Actually, the manufacturers understand the plight of the consumers, and we have constant meetings with them.”
As a result, the agency is set to release a new suggested retail price guide in February to inform the public.
