By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Anticipating the rush of buyers for media noche items to celebrate the upcoming New Year 2024, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday (25 Dec 2023) clarified that there’s no price increase for these goods and other necessities and prime commodities.

DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said noche buena items are the same as media noche items and they were able to assure that there will be no movement for these until yearend.

“Katulad ng ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail tapos yung mga all purpose cream, spaghetti. Para sa mga ganitong items na laman ng ating noche buena price guide, si Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual gaya po ng sabi natin nung nakaraan, nakakuha siya ng commitment sa mga manufacturers na wala pong magtataas ng presyo, mananatili ang presyo as stated in the price guide hanggang December 31. So hanggang media noche yan,” Nograles said.

However, the DTI official Nograles stressed that the prices of these will not change until December 31.

It was learned that the price adjustment will happen next year 2024 when DTI starts releasing the approval of notices after 18 manufacturers requested an increase on 63 items such as coffee and bread.

For his part, Steven Cua, President of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PASA), concurred with Nograles but hastened to add that if ever there is a price increase on goods for media noche, it will be because some items have been sold out.

“If ever may pagtaas sa certain stores, for some stores, it’s because nag-replenish sila. Naging conservative ang kanilang orders or hindi expected ang kanilang demand. So naubusan, they have to replenish, sarado na ‘yung kanilang regular distributor, sarado na ‘yung kanilang regular source of supply, they will have to look for other suppliers like wholesalers or even other stores. So mas mataas ang kuha nila, natural mas mataas ang pasa nila,” Cua explained.

He advised shoppers to start buying what they need for their celebration on December 26 or 27.

Both Cua and Nograles urged the public to look for sale items.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

ATTRIBUTING TO IRAN’S CALL on members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to impose an oil embargo and other sanctions on Israel and the drop in US crude stockpiles, oil prices are rising anew on Tuesday, October 24.

This was the analysis of Rodela Romero, Director 3 of the Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau.

She also cited the visit of US President Joe Biden to the Middle East, particularly Israel, in a bid to prevent further escalation of the ongoing tension in the region.

Iran is known to be backing the Hamas militants of Palestine.

Motorists have to brace with pump prices expected to rise by more than P1 in the wave of hikes.

On Monday, petroleum companies announced the following price hikes:

SHELL PILIPINAS, SEAOIL (effective 6 a.m.)

Gasoline – P0.95/L increase
Kerosene – P1.25/L increase
Diesel – P1.30/L increase

CLEANFUEL (effective 4:01 p.m.)

Gasoline – P0.95/L increase
Diesel – P1.30/L increase

CALTEX (effective 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline – P0.95/L increase
Kerosene – P1.25/L increase
Diesel – P1.30/L increase

PETROGAZZ (effective 6 a.m.)

Gasoline – P0.95/L increase
Diesel – P1.30/L increase

(AI/MNM)