CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Oriental has a piece of advice for consumers buying food items for their ‘Noche Buena.’

The DTI said it would be better if the consumers would do a sort of ‘price canvassing’ before buying the food items in the supermarkets and grocery stores that fit the budget.

Almer Masillones, provincial director of DTI Misamis Oriental, said during a media forum on Tuesday, Dec. 6, that there is a price increase on Noche Buena products nationwide based on the National Price Guide issued by the DTI central office.

“We check our budget and we should make a list of the products that we want to purchase based on our budget; and we canvass the price,” Masillones said.

“The product price may vary depending on the area, especially that we emphasize that these Noche Buena products are not basic necessities and prime commodities,” she added.

According to the DTI, there are only 12 considered Noche Buena items based on the national price guide this year, which is composed of 223 stock keeping units (SKUs)-different varieties and sizes.

The 12 considered Noche Buena products are ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, keso de bola, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, pasta, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and cream.

Masillones did not specify the exact price increase in every product. However, she said out of the 223 SKUs, 193 have increased from one to 10 percent.

“The increase is due to the usual factors and especially, the imported and even the local raw materials that are necessary in the production,” she added.

The provincial director, however, reminded the public that the prices issued by the agency are just reference and not mandatory, as the Noche Buena products are not considered basic necessities and prime commodities.

“And we are also unable to pursue formal charge in case in violation of the guide as they are not part of the basic necessities and prime commodities as enumerated under the Price Act,” stressed Masillones.

If the manufacturers provide a suggested retail price (SRP) on their Noche Buena products, they just have to notify the DTI at least one month before the effectiveness of the price, she added.

The said agency already distributed the price guides to all supermarkets and grocery stores across the province of Misamis Oriental, more so in Cagayan de Oro City which is the business center in the region.