DTI to post noche buena guide price posters next week

The Department of Trade and Industry expects to post this coming week a "guide price" list of food items identified with the Christmas noche buena. DTI's Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection Director Victorio Mario Dimagiba said the agency is finalizing the contents of the posters at this time. "Pina-finalize namin ang aming ilalathala... Pag na-approve ang final text, by next week makikita sa supermarkets and grocery stores," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. But this early, he said the DTI has received assurances from stakeholders that prices of noche buena food items will likely be stable until year end. Dimagiba said the challenge for the DTI is to monitor the prices of the items in supermarkets and grocery stores. He also said supermarkets will also be strict in ensuring they do not sell expired items. "The grocery stores are strict. Items with 'Best before' tags are pulled off the shelves two days before the date indicated," he said. In the meantime, he said consumers can report profiteering to the DTI hotline at 7513330, which he said will be open Mondays to Sundays. Reports should include the name of the grocery or supermarket violating the guide prices, he said. — LBG, GMA News