DTI: No price increases for 91% of basic goods
The prices of basic necessities and prime commodities have remained stable for the first three weeks of the year even after the expiry of the 60-day price freeze that took effect in November 2025, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Wednesday.
The DTI said that 186 of 205 stock-keeping units (SKUs), or about 91 percent of basic necessities and prime commodities recorded no price changes since the price freeze imposed by the government lapsed on Jan. 5. SKUs refer to individual products categorized by brand or type.
According to the DTI, manufacturers of these items did not submit requests for price adjustments, keeping prices steady.
It added that it has been reviewing manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (SRP). The last updated SRP list was released in February 2025.
Products with stable prices include sardines in tomato sauce, instant mami noodles, laundry soap, candles, bread, toilet soap and batteries.
On the other hand, some manufacturers covering the remaining SKUs have sought price adjustments.
Fair adjustments
“The DTI stays committed to protecting consumers while recognizing the economic realities faced by manufacturers,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said. “Through regular price monitoring and open dialogue with manufacturers, the agency helps ensure that any price adjustments are fair and properly justified.”
The DTI said nearly 40 manufacturers opted not to request increases in their SRP despite rising costs for raw materials, packaging, logistics and toll-packing.
These include Monde Nissin Corp., Unilever Philippines Inc., Commonwealth Foods, Asia Brewery Inc., CDO Foodsphere Inc., JG Summit Holdings, Inc., Virginia Foods, Inc. and Philippine Spring Water Resources, Inc.
Other companies that have kept prices unchanged include P&G Philippines Inc., Energizer, Palmolive Philippines Inc., Colgate and Robinsons.
The DTI said last year it urged manufacturers to defer price adjustments, particularly during the typhoon season and holiday period.
A price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities was in effect until Jan. 5, following President Marcos’ declaration of a nationwide state of calamity due to Typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi).
State of calamity
The price freeze automatically went into effect on Nov. 6, 2025 and remained in force for 60 days, which the National Price Coordinating Council coordinated with [appropriate] government agencies “to protect consumers during this critical period,” the DTI said.
The prices of basic necessities and prime goods are governed by Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act of 1992, as amended by RA 10623.
Earlier this month, the DTI’s Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau reported a 99.87-percent compliance rate among retailers, with only one violator issued a show-cause order.
This was based on its monitoring of 689 firms in Metro Manila.
