DTI: No price hike on goods this coming 'Ber months'

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believes that Noche Buena items and other consumer goods won't be subjected to price hikes during the Christmas season.

GMA New's Maki Pulido reported in 24 Oras on Friday that if farm gate prices remain steady, products will retail at the same price until December.

"Hingi gagalaw kung sakali man sa Christmas season, so kung pareho ang farm gate price, ngayon hanggang December kailangan ang presyo sa retail pareho pa rin," DTI Usec. Ruth Castelo said.

Representatives of the DTI, along with the Department of Agriculture, have been conducting inspections on the prices in the market.

They have previously called out retailers selling chicken for P160 per kilo, but certain stores still sell their products within the same price range.

Castelo said the said price hike may be a case of profiteering.

"If ma-prove natin na talagang P108 plus dressing fee, P112 nila puhunan sa manok at ang benta nila P160 it's a clear case of profiteering," she said. — Jessica Bartolome/BAP, GMA News