Victoria, Laguna– The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), through its Consumer Protection Division (CPD), conducted a routine monitoring of price and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) on January 28, 2025 in San Pedro City, Laguna.

Four (4) private supermarkets and grocery stores were monitored to ensure that the prices of BNPCs under the jurisdiction of DTI are within the suggested retail prices (SRPs).

The DTI-Laguna CPD Monitoring Team observed that majority of the BNPCs are compliant with the SRP. Whereas, Letters of Inquiry (LOI) were issued for a BNPC item that was observed to have a price higher than the SRP. Accordingly, retail establishments that were issued with an LOI have to submit a written explanation within 72 hours from receipt of the letter.

As outlined in the Section 6-7 of the Republic Act No. 7581 (RA 7581), otherwise known as the “Price Act”, the prices of some BNPCs fall under the jurisdiction of DTI including, but not limited to, canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, salt, potable water in bottles and containers, locally manufactured instant noodles, processed and canned pork, processed and canned beef and poultry meat, vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, toilet soap, among others.

Moreover, the RA 7581, as amended by the RA 10623, mandates the DTI and other implementing agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Energy to ensure the availability of BNPCs at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate businesses a fair return on investment. (ALSLinga, DTI-Laguna) ♦

Date of Release: 04 February 2025