The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured consumers that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities under its monitoring will remain stable until December 31, 2026, amid concerns over household expenses and the upcoming holiday season.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the agency was not expecting price increases for the covered products until the end of the year, providing consumers with assurance as they prepare for their daily needs and holiday purchases.
“For now, no price increase po for the basic necessities and prime commodities until December 31, 2026,” Roque said.
Roque also urged the public not to panic over the availability of essential goods, saying supplies remained sufficient and there was no need to stockpile products beyond what households normally require.
“There’s no need to panic and there’s no need to hoard. Marami po tayong supply,” Roque also said.
The DTI continues to monitor the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities in supermarkets and grocery stores on a weekly basis to ensure that prices of products covered by the agency remain within their suggested retail prices (SRPs).
The monitoring forms part of the agency’s efforts to check prices and help ensure that consumers can purchase essential goods at prices consistent with existing SRP guidelines.
The DTI’s assurance covers basic necessities and prime commodities under its monitoring until December 31, 2026. Consumers are encouraged to remain guided by official announcements and avoid panic buying, particularly as the holiday season approaches.