Consumers told to be ‘smart spenders’ amid hike in food prices

For canned meat products, he said that based on the new suggested retail price released by the agency, the prices of 150 grams corned beef increased to P27 from the previous P24.25.(Photo: DTI Eastern Visayas/Facebook)

KORONADAL CITY— The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here advised consumers to be “smart spenders” in the wake of the recent increases in the prices of some food products, especially canned goods.

Elbert Capecio, officer-in-charge of DTI-South Cotabato provincial office, said Wednesday their monitoring showed that the prices of canned food products in the area are currently at its “highest point.”

He said the market prices of canned goods such as sardines, meatloaf, corned beef and tuna have increased by 35 percent.
“But our consumers can still choose some brands that are cheaper but also taste good,” Capecio said.

Citing their latest market monitoring, the official said an easy open can of 155 grams of Young’s Town sardines in tomato sauce now costs around P15.50 or about 7 percent higher from its previous retail price.

He said another popular brand, 555 sardines, increased its prices by 7.1 percent but retailed at just P15.

The adjustments were due to the increasing prices of major raw materials like fish and tin can, he said.

For canned meat products, he said that based on the new suggested retail price released by the agency, the prices of 150 grams corned beef increased to P27 from the previous P24.25.

Capecio said the increase was mainly due to the high cost of beef material and tin can, which posted increments of 13 and 16 percent, respectively, from last year.

For galvanized iron and other construction supplies, the official said their monitoring showed that the prices of these products are currently at its lowest compared to last year.

He said the entry of imported cement products triggered average prices to go down to P215 per bag. Galvanized iron now costs P10 lower than last year.

With the Christmas season now fast approaching, Capecio reminded residents to always check government stickers in Christmas lights and other related electrical products.

“The new stickers glow like a rainbow,” he said, noting that the stickers determine the quality and standard of the products.

He urged consumers to immediately report to their office any establishment that are selling products that don’t have quality stickers and other related violations.

Capecio said the DTI provincial office has so far received 61 written complaints and all of these had been properly acted and resolved.

He said four establishments in the province and 11 in General Santos City have been penalized because of violations like selling products without government stickers, among others.

DTI field offices are not authorized to conduct enforcement activities but their national field unit visits the area regularly for such purpose, he added.