MANILA, Philippines — In a major move to protect Filipino consumers from the economic fallout of the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that there will be no price increases for basic necessities and prime commodities until at least May 10, 2026.
DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual issued the directive on Friday, April 17, following a series of emergency meetings with manufacturers and retailers to address concerns over skyrocketing fuel prices and logistics costs.
The price freeze covers a wide array of goods that are essential to every Filipino household. Under the DTI’s latest Bulletin of Suggested Retail Prices (SRP), the following items are protected from upward adjustments:
- Basic Necessities: Canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, bottled water, bread, instant noodles, and laundry soap.
- Prime Commodities: Canned meat, vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, toilet soap, and battery products.
- Impact of the Freeze: Manufacturers who had previously applied for price adjustments due to rising raw material costs have agreed to defer these increases for three weeks to provide a “breathing spell” for the public.
While the DTI is firm on the May 10 deadline, the department acknowledged the immense pressure on the manufacturing sector:
- Rising Input Costs: Producers of canned goods and bread have cited the double-digit surge in fuel prices and international shipping costs as primary drivers for their pending price hike requests.
- Fuel Subsidies: The DTI is working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure that the ₱2-billion fuel subsidy for delivery trucks—recently approved under the National Energy Emergency—is distributed quickly to help manufacturers maintain current price levels.
- Supply Stability: Despite the price freeze, the DTI assured the public that inventories of basic goods remain stable and that there is no need for panic buying.
The DTI has mobilized its regional and provincial offices to conduct intensified daily price monitoring activities across the country.
- Penalties for Violators: Retailers found selling above the SRP or engaging in hoarding and profiteering could face administrative fines of up to ₱1 million and the revocation of their business permits.
- Consumer Hotlines: The public is encouraged to report any overpricing or lack of supply through the DTI Direct 1-384 hotline or via the department’s official social media pages.
“We are calling on our retailers and manufacturers to show their sense of ‘Bayanihan’ during this energy crisis,” Secretary Pascual stated. “While we understand the cost pressures, our priority remains the protection of the Filipino consumer’s purchasing power.”