No price hike on basic goods until April 16 – DTI

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March 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) willl not increase until April 16 as manufacturers have committed to defer price adjustments, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The assurance was made following the DTI’s meeting yesterday with major manufacturers and retailers.

To promote price stability amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, BNPC manufacturers and retailers have pledged to absorb rising logistics and inventory costs.

Manufacturers present in the meeting were Alaska Milk Corp., Chattrade Enterprises, Commonwealth Foods Inc., Century Pacific Food Inc., Ecossential Foods Corp., Sevilla Candle Factory Inc., Lorenzana Food Corp., Monde Nissin, Nestle Philippines, Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., San Miguel Foods, Slord Development Corp., Unilever Philippines Inc., Universal Canning Inc., Universal Robina Corp., Virginia Food Inc., Wellmade Manufacturing Corp. and the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines.

Also present were Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., SM Markets (SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore), Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association.

Following the issuance of Executive Order 110 or declaration of a national energy emergency, the DTI is stepping up its nationwide monitoring to ensure the commitments are reflected at the retail level. 

The DTI has jurisdiction over 726 variants of essential products in which 196 stock keeping units include suggested retail price. 

These include canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry soap, toilet soap, candles, salt, battery, bottled water and bread. 

Earlier, the DTI said that prices and supply of BNPCs remain stable nationwide. 

It also warned that retailers engaging in profiteering or raising prices by more than 10 percent without justification or hoarding would face administrative fines and potential imprisonment. 

Consumers are encouraged to report any unreasonable price increases to the DTI Consumer Care Hotline at 1-384 (1-DTI).