Philippine shoppers urged not to stockpile goods ahead of holidays
The trade secretary said manufacturers had pledged to maintain prices for 190 monitored products until December 31, 2026, without reducing quantities.
Philippine consumers do not need to build up stocks of essential goods before the holidays because supplies can cover demand, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque said on November 9.
During an interview on Balitanghali, Roque repeated manufacturers’ commitment to leave prices for 190 monitored products unchanged through December 31, 2026. She said they would also preserve product quantities, ruling out smaller sizes, lower weights or reduced contents at the same selling price.
The Department of Trade and Industry’s suggested retail prices cover necessities including bottled water, salt, instant noodles, bread, canned sardines, coffee and milk products. Other items covered include candles, laundry soap and detergent.
The department also sets suggested prices for prime commodities, including batteries, toilet soap, condiments and processed meats such as corned beef, luncheon meat, beef loaf and meat loaf. Roque said a dedicated department unit tracks both food and non-food prices to check that the 190 products remain at their existing prices.
