PHILIPPINES: Koko to DTI: Ensure no one takes advantage of the price of Noche Buena products

PHILIPPINES, December 21 - Press Release
December 21, 2024

KOKO TO DTI: ENSURE NO ONE WILL FIX THE PRICE OF NOCHE BUENA PRODUCTS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure that no one abuses the Christmas season, especially by raising the prices of goods for Noche Buena.

According to Pimentel, businessmen

should not exploit the Christmas celebration to raise prices on products such as cheese, macaroni, spaghetti sauce, fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, ham, and other Noche Buena items.

"Christmas is a time of love and sharing. We must ensure that it will not be a time of abuse and exploitation," said Pimentel.

He said, "It is important to maintain fair prices for basic commodities for all Filipinos, especially the poor."

According to Pimentel, the DTI should strictly monitor companies involved in price manipulation.

"The DTI should exercise stricter monitoring of prices of goods, especially during the Christmas season," Pimentel insisted.

"We need to ensure that no businessmen abuse and that every Filipino can celebrate Christmas properly and peacefully," he added.

He said that stores that hoard stocks or charge too much just to make more money during the Christmas season should not be allowed to get away with it.

Pimentel also reminded vendors to follow the suggested retail price set by the Department of Trade and Industry and consumer protection laws.

Despite this, Pimentel encouraged the public not to hesitate to report to authorities companies or businessmen who increase the prices of Noche Buena products.

"Be alert and report any price abuse to the DTI," he said. "We have the right to a fair and just price for basic commodities," said Pimentel.