The Department of Trade and Industry has noted an increase in the prices of some Noche Buena products as a result of the latest price and supply monitoring conducted in the leading supermarkets in Tagbilaran City.

DTI-Bohol consumer welfare division chief  Jose D. Hibaya said prices of some brands of fruit cocktail, sandwich spread, spaghetti,spaghetti sauce and  elbow macaroni  have increased.  While costs of other products have gone down, there is however, one kind of ham that increased its price by P14.50.

Prices of fruit cocktail have risen by at least P1 to P7, spaghetti and spaghetti sauces have increased by 1 to 10.00, while those of sandwich spread and elbow macaroni have increased by P1.00 and P8.00 respectively.
“Majority of the listed products in the 2015 Noche Buena SRP (suggested retail price) have same prices with last year’s SRP.”

Prices of various brands of elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti have both increased while costs of cheese and queso de bola remain the same.

Consumers are told to check the expiry date and price tag of products before buying them, ensure that shelf prices and cashier price are the same.  Furthermore, consumers are advised to compare weights of competing brands available in the supermarkets.

Unless specified, the 2015 SRP that DTI recently issued for Noche Buena products apply nationwide to both supermarkets and wet markets.

Supermarkets are advised to put their posters in strategic areas for the consumer’s information and guidance.
Retailers found selling Noche Buena products above the SRP will be asked to explain the cause and show the cost of acquisition of the product. (jdh)