DTI: Basic commodities' prices stable; sardines' go up

Despite a reported price adjustment in prices of sardines, the Department of Trade and Industry reassured the public on Friday the prices of basic goods remain stable. In a radio interview, DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya also said the growing strength of the peso against the US dollar has cushioned the recent price adjustments. “Sa mga delata, presyo lang ng sardinas ang tumaas. Hindi naman tumataas ang mga presyo ng processed meat at gatas. Inaaral pa natin ang pagtaas ng presyo na ito dahil natanggap natin ang kanilang abiso noong Lunes at 25-30 centavos per can ang kanilang sinasabing pagtataas," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. Maglaya also said the manufacturer of only one brand of soap had increased prices, noting its last price adjustment was in 2008. “Kung hindi maganda ang palitan ng piso sa dolyar, mas malaki sana ang naging increase sa presyo ng sardinas (Had the peso been weaker, the price adjustment would have been bigger)," she said. On the other hand, she said prices of other basic goods such as rice and sugar remain stable, with sugar selling at P46 a kilo. “Some vegetables saw price adjustments of P5 to 10, but chicken and pork prices remain stable," she said. — LBG, GMA News