The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there will be no price increases for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) through April 16, following an agreement with major manufacturers and retailers to maintain market stability.
The freeze, which took effect April 1, comes after the DTI met with industry leaders to address consumer concerns amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Manufacturers and retailers pledged to absorb current logistics and inventory pressures rather than passing costs to the public.
Under Executive Order No. 110, the DTI is intensifying nationwide monitoring to ensure these commitments are upheld at the retail level. The agency currently oversees 778 variants of essential products, with 196 items subject to a Suggested Retail Price (SRP).
These items include canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry soap, toilet soap and candles.
The stability effort is backed by a broad coalition of manufacturers, including Alaska Milk Corporation, Commonwealth Foods Inc., Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines, Chattrade Enterprises, 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., Universal Canning Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc., Virginia Food Inc., Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation and Universal Robina Corporation.
Retailers participating in the price hold include Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., SM Markets, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association.
While some items fall outside the official SRP bulletin, the DTI said it is actively monitoring all 778 products to prevent market manipulation, hoarding and profiteering. Consumers can access the full list of commodities via the e-Presyo app or official DTI social media platforms.
