Gov’t ‍promotes ‘noche buena’ sans price hike

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — The government would promote noche buena items such as ham, cheese and pasta that had not increased their prices for the holidays, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Monday.

Lopez, chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the price increases of manufactured products have been minimal at 3 percent.

“More than one half of those on the list of basic necessities and prime commodities had no increase, and those that increased were just at 3 percent. So our countrymen need not worry,” Lopez said at a Palace briefing.

The DTI would promote noche buena fare that kept their price level, he said.

“There are more that did not increase the prices of their products, let’s say they already gave advice that there would be no increase—ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktails, etc., pasta and sauce. Those that did not increase their price, we would promote these,” he said.

The DTI would publish the list of items and their specific brands and sizes, he said.

“Those that would have no price increase are lucky because the government would promote them,” he added.