A supermarket customer choosing the buy some canned products in an early holiday shopping
Photo by THEPHILBIZNEWS/MAS
By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
As Christmas holiday draws near, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released the list of Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) of Noche Buena staples for the information and guidance of consumers on November 11, 2020.
The price guide covers frequently consumed products during the holiday season in the country such as ham, fruit cocktail, queso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta—spaghetti noodles, elbow, and salad macaroni—spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and all-purpose cream.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez reiterated that there is no need for any increase in the prices on the products that Filipinos buy for their family’s favorite noche buena celebration. Furthermore, the public is assured of the availability of supply and stability of the prices of these items.
Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said in a text message to the media, “All these Noche Buena products will revert to 2019 prices by Dec. 15 to 31, considering the current financial situation of the consumers in light with the pandemic.”
Prior to the release, the DTI Consumer Protection Group reviewed the prices, and the proposals of some companies for price increases. According to Lopez, during the Christmas season, DTI approves the SRPs of these products as they become necessary products and to protect the interest of the consumers. DTI conferred with manufacturers to evaluate the basis of any price adjustment and cost increases, if any, have to be proven. To the extent possible, with minimal cost movement, price increases are avoided, especially considering the pandemic situation now where many Filipinos are experiencing financial difficulties.
Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo explained, “The process is not easy, but we appreciate the response of many companies as they want to show the Bayanihan spirit by not increasing their Christmas products this year. We talked to each manufacturer to retain their 2019 prices for noche buena products.”
Secretary Lopez expressed, “The DTI extends its appreciation to the manufacturers for showing their solidarity in providing affordable noche buena products to the consumers this Christmas by committing to retain their 2019 prices for this year despite COVID-19.”
In particular, the DTI expressed its gratitude to Alaska Milk Corporation, CDO Foodsphere, Inc., Century Pacific Food, Inc., Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Dole Philippines, Inc., Ideal Macaroni & Spaghetti Factory, Inc., King Sue Ham & Sausage Co., Inc., Kraft Foods Philippines, Inc., Modelez Philippines, Inc., Nestle Philippines, New Amigo Food Products Corp., New Zealand Creamery, Inc., NutriAsia, Inc., Philippine Leading Infinite Logistics, Inc., RFM Corporation, San Miguel Foods, SYSU International, Inc., Unilever Philippines, Inc, Universal Robina Corporation, Virginia Food, Inc. for maintaining their October 2019 SRPs. The DTI also highlighted that San Miguel Foods—Magnolia Inc. and Ideal Macaroni & Spaghetti Factory, Inc. even decreased the prices of their products, namely Magnolia Queso de Bola and Sunshine Spaghetti, by as much 5%.
Currently, the Noche Buena SRP Bulletin has a total of 241 shelf keeping units (SKUs). Christmas shoppers may use this to their advantage by referring to the list below. The list also includes the SRPs of Christmas staples in various sizes so the public may purchase based on their preference and needs.
| Product | Unit | Price Range |
| Ham | 500g | Php 135.00 – Php 189.00 |
| 800g | Php 196.00 – Php 430.00 | |
| 1kg | Php 299.00 – Php 1,025.00 | |
| Fruit Cocktail | 432g | Php 50.35 – Php 56.45 |
| 3kg | Php 202.75 – Php 239.40 | |
| Cheese | 165g | Php 49.50 – Php 89.00 |
| 500g | Php 118.20 – Php 165.60 | |
| Keso de Bola | 350g | Php 199.00 – Php 320.00 |
| 500g | Php 279.50 – Php 410.00 | |
| 750g | Php 435.30 – Php 539.00 | |
| Sandwich Spread | 200g | Php 72.00 – Php 85.00 |
| 220ml (pouch) | Php 52.50 – Php 89.45 | |
| 220ml (jar) | Php 59.85 – Php 99.80
|
|
| 470ml (jar) | Php 122.85 – Php 205.80 | |
| Mayonnaise | 220ml (pouch) | Php 47.55 – Php 83.35 |
| 470ml (jar) | Php 96.50 – 196.35 | |
| 700ml (jar) | Php 140.00 – 283.00 | |
| Pasta/Spaghetti | 400g | Php 30.00 – Php 52.50 |
| 500g | Php 55.00 – Php 73.00 | |
| 900g | Php 57.00 – Php 87.65 | |
| Elbow and Salad Macaroni | 200g | Php 18.75 – Php 36.65 |
| 400g | Php 31.00 – Php 58.05 | |
| 1kg | Php 64.00 – Php 98.65 | |
| Spaghetti Sauce | 250g | Php 22.00 – Php 27.90 |
| 500g | Php 42.00 – Php 57.70 | |
| 1kg | Php 60.70 – Php 84.20 | |
| Tomato Sauce | 200g | Php 15.50 – Php 19.70 |
| 1kg | Php 62.00 – Php 78.25 | |
| Creamer | 250ml | Php 55.00 – Php 59.00 |
| 370ml | Php 47.00 – Php 55.00 |
To avoid panic-buying and to ensure the safety and value for money, the public is advised to make a shopping list and to refer to the prices of said products before visiting their supermarket of choice. The DTI also reminds consumers to always observe minimum health protocols, such as wearing face masks and face shields and maintaining physical distancing.
Additionally, the DTI emphasizes consumers to practice their right to choose and to check for promotional goods or those sold in bundles in supermarkets and groceries.
The list of 2020 Noche Buena SRP Bulletin is uploaded on the DTI website which can be accessed through https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/e-presyo/.
To report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities and prime commodities above the SRPs, consumers may call the DTI Hotline at 1-384 (1-DTI) or email at ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.