MANILA, Philippines — Despite rising fuel costs, manufacturers of essential goods have pledged to maintain current price levels for at least the next 30 days.
On Tuesday, March 17, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued a news release that DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque convened a meeting on Monday, March 16, with representatives from 21 manufacturing companies. The session included producers of diverse goods such as canned sardines, instant noodles, bread, coffee, bottled water, canned meat, candles, and soap.
The DTI confirmed that within the next 30 days, consumers should not expect price hikes for the following:
Canned Sardines: Unipak, 555, Ligo, Lucky 7, Fresca, Morjon, Golden Town, and Mega
Bread: Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal
Water: Wilkins and Nature’s Spring
Soaps: Safeguard Pure White, Tide Bar Original Scent, and Green Cross Pure White
Condiments: Datu Puti (soy sauce and vinegar) and Lorins Patis
Meat: CDO canned processed meat
Candles: Liwanag
Furthermore, a 60-day price hold was announced for several other brands, including “Lucky Me, Ho-Mi, Argentina, Lucky 7, 555, Swift Premium, Wow! and Shanghai.” Other major players, such as the makers of Kopiko, Nescafe, San Mig coffee 3-in1, and Export candle, “have pledged to maintain current prices with no price increase for the time being.”
The DTI noted that since the February 2025 Suggested Retail Price Bulletin, 191 Shelf-Keeping Units (SKUs) have been covered.
Regarding the initiative, Secretary Roque stated: “We recognize the financial strain faced by consumers while also acknowledging the cost pressures confronting manufacturers. Our priority remains to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. We thank our manufacturing partners for their commitment and shared concern for Filipino consumers.”| PNA
