TThe prices of some Noche Buena or Christmas eve food in Negros have increased by about 10 percent, Rachel Nufable, Department of Trade and Industry provincial director, said Friday, December 2.
DTI monitoring shows that some prices have gone up by 10 percent and even slightly above, which is still within the suggested retail prices, she said.
She said among the Noche Buena items are queso de bola, fruit cocktail, and ingredients for spaghetti.
The Christmas eve items are not considered basic necessities or prime commodities, and are not covered by a price freeze, Nufable said.
The suggested retail prices for Noche Buena items are a guide for consumers to choose items within their budget, she said.
Nufable said the DTI is also continuing to monitor the sale of Christmas lights to ensure that they have ICC and PS marks.
“Non-compliant products are pulled out of the shelves,” she said.*