Sixty-three basic and prime commodities (BNPCs) are seeking price increases due to rising cost of production, according to Amanda Nograles, assistant secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
“We are in talks with them but most of them committed they will not increase prices until (the end of the year),” Nograles said.
One petition is from bakers, which asks for a P2 increase in the price of the Pinoy Tasty.
Nograles said the petitioners have cited high cost of raw materials, packaging, fuel and distribution as reason for the price increase.
“This is why the DTI has initiated EO (Executive Order) 41 on the suspension of the collection of pass through fees to reduce logistics costs. There are continuing efforts,” said Nograles.
In a press conference on Tuesday, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said sardines manufacturers have cited the difficulty in the supply of sardines while meat canners cited high cost of tin cans while others note transportation cost.
