DTI watching price increases in early 2018

BATANGAS CITY, Batangas — The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) provincial office here revealed over the weekend that it is closely monitoring prices of commodities after being advised by manufacturers of impending price increases in the early part of 2018.

DTI-Batangas Provincial Director Marissa Argente said manufacturers using tin cans and imported materials to package their goods are seeing a spike in the prices of their products, particularly canned food.

Argente said any retail price increase will depend on the price increase in imported raw material inputs of the manufacturers, but the agency will ensure that the prices are reasonable to consumers.

She further assured that the DTI and manufacturers are working on possibly delaying or, perhaps, even not pursuing the price hike.

“Our manufacturers have been very cooperative with the DTI in adjusting their prices so that our consumers will be able to afford what they need,” she said.

For consumers, Argente advised planning one’s expenses ahead.

“If you are a well-informed consumer then you are the best protected consumer,” she said.

She also called on the public to study the new tax reform law, saying the intention of its implementation is to allow the country to cope with economic struggles.

“Hindi naman po gagawa ang gobyerno ng bagay na ang magiging resulta ay para makapagpahirap, ang intensiyon lagi nito ay mas maging maganda ang ating ekonomiya at mas maging maalwan ang buhay ng ating mga mamamayan,” Argente said.