The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged manufacturers to consider calls not to increase the prices of Christmas products in the country this year.
"Panawagan sa manufacturers baka gusto nila na wag munang gumalaw ng presyo for Christmas products this year or kung gumalaw man, yung absolute minimum lang din po talaga (We are calling on manufacturers if they can consider to not move the prices of Christmas products this year or if they do, it's only up to the absolute minimum)," DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said during a televised briefing Thursday, Sept. 2.
While it is still too early to conclude whether prices of Christmas products, especially the noche buena goods, will rise this year, Castelo said they will try to talk it out with manufacturers.
"This year, susubukan natin ulit na pakiusapan sila na hindi gumalaw ng presyo but pag-aaralan din po kung paano mababantayan nang mabuti ang presyo (This year, we will again request for the non-movement of prices but we will also look into it)," the undersecretary further said.
She said they will try to duplicate the success they made last year in convincing manufacturers to not impose a price hike on Christmas goods.
Prices of Christmas products will be released towards the end of October to November.