DTI Confirms Price Stability for Key Consumer Goods in the Philippines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that prices for a range of essential goods, including canned sardines in tomato sauce, instant mami noodles, laundry soap, candles, bread, toilet soap, and batteries, remain stable as of January 2026. This stability is a significant development for Filipino consumers, as these items are widely consumed and critical to daily life.
Widespread Coverage Under Necessities List
According to the DTI, these goods account for an impressive 91% of the necessities and prime commodities list, representing 186 out of 205 stock-keeping units. This high percentage indicates that the majority of essential products are not experiencing price hikes, providing relief to households across the nation. The stability has been maintained because manufacturers have not requested any increases in their suggested retail prices, despite facing higher costs for raw materials, packaging, logistics, and toll-packing.
Manufacturer Cooperation and Deferred Increases
The DTI highlighted that this price stability has been sustained even in the face of rising production expenses. This outcome follows a call from the Department last year for industry cooperation, to which manufacturers responded by deferring price increases. Key companies that have kept prices unchanged include Universal Canning Inc., Maunlad Canning Inc., Uptrade Resource Corp., Chattra Enterprise, Permex Producer & Exporter Corp., Aquatic Food and Manufacturing, Slord Development Corp., Tosen Foods Inc., Zest-O Corp., Uni-President Corp., Monde Nissin Corp., Philbaking, Wellmade Manufacturing Corp., Unilever Philippines Inc., Peerless Product Manufacturing Co., P&G Philippines Inc., Vayao Wax Manufacturing, Manila Wax, Singkee Enterprises, Sevilla Candles, Green Cross Inc., Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc., Procter and Gamble Philippines Inc., Energizer, LTH Food Industries Inc., Snow Mountain Dairy Corp., Commonwealth Foods, Eccossential Foods Corp., Billie’s Marketing, Asia Brewery, Inc., JG Summit Holdings, Inc., Philippine Spring Water Resources, Inc., Robinsons, CDO Foodsphere, Inc., Virginia Foods, Inc., Nutri Asia, and First PGMC.
DTI's Commitment to Consumer Protection and Fair Business Practices
Building on this successful cooperation, DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque reaffirmed the Department's dedication to strict price monitoring. She emphasized that the DTI aims to maintain a balance between consumer protection and business fairness. The DTI stays committed to protecting consumers while recognizing the economic realities faced by manufacturers. Through regular price monitoring and open dialogue with manufacturers, the agency helps ensure that any price adjustments are fair and properly justified. At the same time, it provides consumers with timely guidance to support informed choices, while encouraging businesses to uphold ethical and competitive pricing practices.
This proactive approach by the DTI not only safeguards Filipino consumers from unnecessary price surges but also fosters a collaborative environment with manufacturers, promoting economic stability in the Philippines.
