Naglabas ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ng price guide bilang gabay ng mga Pinoy sa kanilang mga bibilhing Noche Buena items ngayong Pasko. Pero aminado ang DTI na bagamat may mga presyo na bumaba kumpara noong nakaraang taon, sadya raw mataas na ang presyo ng mga bilihin ngayon. Kaya ang hamon ng DTI sa publiko, maging malikhain sa kanilang handa ngayong Pasko.
Ang ginagawang aksyon ng DTI sa pagbabantay ng mga presyo ng Noche Buena items sa pamilihan at kanilang payo sa mga mamimili, sasagutin ni Asec. Amanda Nograles sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
Ang ginagawang aksyon ng DTI sa pagbabantay ng mga presyo ng Noche Buena items sa pamilihan at kanilang payo sa mga mamimili, sasagutin ni Asec. Amanda Nograles sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:05 Good day to all of you.
00:07 You are here for the Mangas Interviews.
00:10 We will talk about the Noche Buena Price Guide of the Department of Trade and Industry.
00:17 It's still early, 20 days to Christmas, but DTI is ready with their advisory.
00:22 We have with us as a guest, Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles.
00:28 She is the Director of DTI Consumer Protection Group.
00:32 Good day, Asick.
00:34 Good day, Ma'am.
00:36 Okay.
00:37 Ateneo graduates second honors in law school,
00:42 magna cum laude in her Business Administration undergrad,
00:46 valedictorian in St. Paul's when she graduated from high school,
00:50 Attorney Amanda.
00:52 What is this price guide and how can we ensure that our Christmas is okay?
00:57 Yes, Ma'am.
00:59 On November 22, DTI released the Noche Buena Price Guide.
01:04 We listed here all the usual Noche Buena items that the Filipino family buys.
01:11 Ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, we use all of them.
01:17 We are very happy to report that the prices in our price guide,
01:23 we have listed the prices that went down from last year.
01:28 We also listed items that did not change.
01:32 In fact, in the price guide, if we look at it, the items we released this year are colorful.
01:38 The items that have a pearl are the items that did not change from last year.
01:45 There are also items that have a Christmas tree,
01:48 this is the price that went down from last year.
01:53 On the other hand, there are also items that have a higher price.
02:00 But we at DTI want to report that the price increase is not that high
02:07 because the increase is only 1 to 5% from last year's prices.
02:15 If we compare it to last year's Noche Buena Price Guide,
02:20 most of the price increases were more than 10%.
02:26 So if we look at it that way,
02:29 it looks like the Filipino family will be able to buy a lot of Noche Buena.
02:34 Asek, tell us, your Noche Buena Price Guide covers 12 categories.
02:42 What can we eat?
02:45 If this is the case, what can we eat at our Christmas table?
02:50 I'm imagining what to eat at the Christmas table.
02:53 Ham, queso de bola, regular cheese, fruit cocktail, salad macaroni, elbow macaroni,
03:03 all-purpose cream, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles,
03:11 those items are the categories.
03:14 Okay.
03:15 Let's be clear, the suggested retail price that you are talking about is not covered by the SRP.
03:22 The additional ingredients, for example, ground beef for spaghetti,
03:28 for example, bread with our spaghetti and ham, although you have a sandwich spread,
03:36 or maybe you have onions and drinks.
03:41 So that cannot be included in the price guide to complete our Christmas table.
03:47 Yes, ma'am, because the Noche Buena Price Guide is limited to 12 categories.
03:53 You mentioned, for example, other products.
03:57 The Department of Agriculture is the one that will issue the price.
04:01 Other products, for example, salt, condiments, or what we need to cook,
04:07 are part of what we call the SRP Bulletin.
04:11 Okay.
04:12 For this year, we at DTI issued this in February 2023.
04:18 The SRP Bulletin includes some of the basic necessities or prime commodities.
04:26 So, the content of this is different because the basic necessities or prime commodities
04:31 are what we understand that we need for everyday use.
04:35 Okay.
04:36 We also noted that if it's agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture is the one that will issue and monitor.
04:46 But if it's manufactured or processed, it's DTI.
04:50 Yes, ma'am.
04:51 So that it's clear in general.
04:54 But in the law, it's enumerated what are the basic necessities and prime commodities.
05:03 It's also included in an administrative order which is the token of DTI, which is the token of DA, and there's also the DOH.
05:13 So, it's really different.
05:16 All right. Now, if we compute your price guide, the cheapest, let's say all categories,
05:24 but the smallest value, 250 grams instead of 400 grams, the spaghetti, it will be Php695.
05:36 If we compute the most expensive or the one that's in the higher end of your price guide, it will be Php3,155.
05:46 So, is that considered? Because it also depends on the size of the family.
05:51 Yes, it's true, ma'am.
05:52 That's why this year, we want to emphasize that the price guide is just a guide because the taste of the Filipino families is different.
06:03 Some don't like spaghetti, they like rice and ham.
06:07 Others like spaghetti and fruit cocktail.
06:10 So, our approach this year is to give the consumers freedom to choose what they want to prepare for Noche Buena.
06:23 I would also like to add, ma'am, because if you will have a Noche Buena, the true joy of Christmas is to serve and be with your family.
06:37 So, the emphasis should not be on the price, but on the total cost.
06:42 In other words, the family should be together and what should be prepared right before the clock strikes 12.
06:49 Now, if it's Noche Buena, you can also repeat it for Medyanoche.
06:54 Typically, we celebrate this time twice.
07:00 Yes, ma'am. In fact, we put in the price guide that the prices that are listed here are effective until December 31, 2023.
07:11 We were happy with DTI because Secretary Pascual talked to all manufacturers and retailers that if possible,
07:20 they should commit that until December 31, 2023, no one will increase the price.
07:27 Our meetings with manufacturers were successful.
07:32 That's why they agreed to put it in the price guide until December 31, 2023.
07:38 So, Medyanoche is already in place. You're right, ma'am.
07:41 Alright. Now, if this is your price guide, our problem is you have an assurance that the supply is sufficient.
07:49 How can SKU stop you from putting your products on the list?
07:56 Yes. That's why, ma'am, when we put out the price guide, there is a monitoring on the part of DTI.
08:04 On the other hand, it is a price guide, it is not like a law or regulation that we enforce.
08:12 If it does not follow, there is a violation. It's not like that.
08:15 If we have a monitor that, for example, the price of a product rises a little, we talk to the manufacturer of the product
08:25 on why the price of the product rose a little from the price guide.
08:30 As to the supply, of course, we go around to groceries, supermarkets, convenience stores.
08:37 Our monitors can also see what will be sold out or what is the sufficient supply.
08:45 But so far, ma'am, since October, even though we don't have a price guide, we already checked the Noche Buena items.
08:53 The supply is sufficient and that's what our manufacturers said, that the price is sufficient and the supply is sufficient until December 2023.
09:05 All right. Now, Asec, I just want to ask. The problem is, you said that this price guide is just an advisory.
09:11 It does not have a punitive or mandatory clause.
09:15 It means that if it goes down, you will talk to them, but there is no violation or no case that you will be brought to justice.
09:23 Yes, ma'am. Because the Noche Buena items under the price guide, it is not the category of basic necessities and prime commodities that are covered by our price act.
09:35 So if that's the case, the good purpose of the price guide is to be a guide to consumers before buying or grocery shopping so that they can plan their budget.
09:48 Even so, if the price is too high, for example, the price is times two or even a little, it does not follow the price guide,
09:56 our solution will be to report it to us and we will talk to the manufacturers.
10:03 Because ma'am, if the manufacturer does not follow the price, how about the competitiveness of the product?
10:11 He will not sell it if it is too high and he does not follow the price guide, he will also suffer.
10:17 All right. Now, you are talking to manufacturers.
10:20 How about retail outlets? Because of course, they have a small number of customers because they have a cost of operation that they need to meet.
10:30 It might cause a problem. Manufacturers said that it is not us, it is the store or the grocery that has a lot of customers.
10:37 Yes, that's true ma'am. That's why we, both Secretary Pascual and I talked to both the manufacturers and retailers.
10:46 They will have a meeting. That's why our approach is that if there is someone who does not follow the price guide,
10:53 the DTI will talk to the manufacturer because he is the one who is affected.
10:58 Then the manufacturer will talk to the retailer because you are right ma'am,
11:04 the price of distributing, the position of the product, the overhead cost of the retailers, they also need to consider that.
11:14 So, they will talk to each other.
11:20 All right. Now, how often is your monitoring and how many teams or people are deployed?
11:26 Our monitoring is weekly ma'am. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. In our key cities, we can visit more than once a week.
11:37 So far, our weekly monitoring includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores.
11:46 Okay. Now, if the consumer has a high demand for your 12 items, what can he do? Complain to DTI or just be angry?
12:03 Don't be angry.
12:06 There is no penalty ma'am, but it can help DTI because if they report to us,
12:15 first of all, we will talk to the manufacturer to bring to their attention,
12:22 to alert them that their product is being sold to this retailer at this price that does not follow the price guide.
12:31 Then, we will talk to the manufacturer and retailer to see why it is not being followed.
12:39 But ma'am, I just want to add that last week, Secretary Pascual and I visited Divisoria.
12:46 The good news is that we looked at the Noche Buena items and we did the price monitoring.
12:53 Most of the items, ma'am, are actually lower than the price guide. Other items are lower than P18 or P13.
13:03 So even for the retailer, the items are being sold below the price guide.
13:09 We were happy and the rest, if not lower than the price guide, in accordance with our price guide.
13:19 That was our monitoring as of last week.
13:22 The difference here is of course the quality.
13:24 The price is low, it is possible that it is not good.
13:29 For example, if it is ham, it is like chopped meat.
13:33 If it is ham of good quality, it is delicious but very expensive.
13:37 The same is true for cheese balls or cheese.
13:40 So this means that those who do not have the ability to afford it, buy at a low price.
13:48 Those who have a little additional fund, buy at a high price.
13:53 We are talking about quality.
13:55 Yes. But ma'am, we at DTI are saying that the price is not a measure of quality.
14:02 There is a correlation between the two.
14:05 But we have a lot of products in the Noche Buena price guide that can reach the price but the quality is good.
14:13 That is why we are saying that it is better not to suggest that this is what you should buy.
14:20 That is why the 240 SKUs, the stock keeping unit, the list that we put, different grams, different brands from high end to low end.
14:30 So it depends on who will buy or who will prepare.
14:34 If you can mix what suits their taste.
14:39 Okay. What's in it for the manufacturers? Why did they agree?
14:43 Of course, there is a profit cut.
14:45 You know that during Christmas, this is the chance for them to recover.
14:51 The rest of the year, if the sales are low.
14:53 So what's in it for them? Why are they keeping their prices at the previous rate or increasing the price?
15:02 Ma'am, I will just clarify. When we released the price guide, many said that the prices of Noche Buena items are increasing.
15:12 In truth, it is not a signal that the prices are increasing.
15:16 Because the other products in the price guide, their prices were the same since February.
15:22 Okay.
15:23 This is the result that we talked to the manufacturers.
15:28 What is your price now? Can you commit that this is what we put in the price guide and this will be the effective price until December 2023?
15:37 They committed.
15:39 Now your question is, what's in it for the manufacturers?
15:43 We think, of course, because we all choose.
15:49 So maybe they are also in agreement with our efforts to put their products in the list,
15:54 even if it is showcased that these are the Noche Buena items.
15:58 Because the Noche Buena price guide is widely disseminated,
16:01 even if they put it on the top of mind of consumers that they will buy this ham or this cheese.
16:09 So even if it is not in the list, we are trying to make it clear that they are not just putting their prices in the list,
16:17 but they committed that this is their price until December.
16:21 Is this price guide on the groceries?
16:25 Because it seems like there are also consumers who bought it.
16:30 They know and they can see it. Is that right?
16:34 Yes, ma'am.
16:35 It is on some groceries, but we published it in the Avante and Daily Tribune on November 22.
16:43 It is also posted on the DTI website and on our social media pages.
16:49 So it's widely available.
16:51 I have a plan before I buy.
16:54 I will first look at the price guide so that I know how much I will pay in the end.
17:00 Okay. So it's commendable that DTI is doing this every year.
17:05 But our problem is if our consumers don't have money, how will they buy?
17:11 Even if the price is below P700, almost, and the slightly expensive P3,200, almost,
17:18 all 12 category products are included.
17:23 How will they buy if they don't have money? Is that still your problem?
17:26 That's also my problem, ma'am.
17:28 That's also my problem.
17:31 No, ma'am. But actually, just kidding.
17:34 We at DTI are aware that the price of goods is really high now.
17:41 It's not just the content of the price guide that is rising.
17:44 That's right.
17:45 That's why our challenge this year is to be careful.
17:51 Because it's possible, like what we said earlier,
17:55 if it's said that you need ham or spaghetti for Noche Buena,
18:01 we can mix and match with our price guide.
18:06 As long as the family is together, we are giving thanksgivings before Christmas,
18:13 so it's better to have someone to prepare it.
18:18 Okay. And you also know that if you're really going to spend for Christmas,
18:24 you should have an American breakfast menu, your price guide.
18:29 American Christmas menu.
18:32 Some people like lechon, others like grilled tuna or fish,
18:39 grilled squid.
18:41 That's a bit expensive.
18:43 The Filipino family is no longer able to celebrate to the max.
18:48 Because your price guide is a cheap price guide.
18:53 Yes, but of course, it's also a time for the price to rise.
19:00 So we'll go back to that.
19:02 So what is the budget of the Mrs. and the Filipino,
19:06 they are free to choose what they want to buy.
19:09 Because if you go out, there are also those who have bundles of spaghetti.
19:15 Sometimes I can have spaghetti for dinner.
19:20 You're so stoic, you're so simple.
19:24 You just eat spaghetti with rice.
19:27 But it depends on the taste.
19:32 All right.
19:33 Of course, if you can celebrate Christmas, if you have a table menu,
19:40 the problem is that the wage increase is not given to our people.
19:46 Do you have the ability to join the discourse and encourage
19:52 that the price of goods is really rising and maybe our workers deserve better?
19:58 Actually, ma'am, in DTI, we have the National Price Coordinating Council.
20:05 That's where many government agencies gather
20:10 to talk about price stabilization, the price of goods.
20:18 So here, DTI, DA, DILG, everybody does their part
20:24 so that at least there is a whole of government approach with respect to the prices.
20:31 But you're right, with respect to the wage hike,
20:35 it's already under the leadership of the DOLE.
20:40 But we are also aware with respect to the disposable income,
20:44 which is getting smaller and smaller in relation to the rising prices.
20:49 So that's why we made this price guide so that we can prepare.
20:54 We also want to report that in DTI, we are also helping to lower the price of goods.
21:03 So for example, the EO31, the order that was issued regarding the suspension of the collection of pass-through fee
21:13 of those who transport consumer goods, that's a big help according to our manufacturers.
21:21 Because if there is no pass-through fee, their production cost will decrease in terms of distribution cost
21:28 and in the end, they will not be able to pass it to the consumer.
21:33 So Secretary Pascual supported those measures.
21:38 Okay, but you know your numbers, Asec.
21:41 If the pass-through fees are being spent, it means revenue loss for the government.
21:47 It's okay for consumers because the manufacturers might lower the price of their products.
21:55 Does it all come together?
21:58 Because the left hand is giving revenue loss, the right hand is giving revenue loss for consumer protection.
22:05 It sounds very good optics-wise, but is it good economics?
22:10 The pass-through fees are collected by the LGU.
22:15 So we understand that they probably run their numbers since they agreed to it.
22:21 But it's not the LGU government's ability to cover it as a form of assistance to the manufacturers.
22:29 But you're right, ma'am. It's something that is also passed to the LGU.
22:35 But the effect on consumers is magnified because we can control the price increase.
22:44 It's really all government, manufacturers, and consumers.
22:51 Because at the end of the day, if the manufacturers are in a tight spot,
22:56 what about the jobs that we are giving? At the end of the day, we all get paid.
23:03 So it's all going around.
23:06 And now, during Christmas, one thing that people notice is that some of our government agencies have great Christmas parties.
23:16 There are a lot of Christmas bonuses, a lot of money payments, and there are gifts like calendars and gift packs.
23:27 So if it's all put together, how much can we save if you really mean to assist consumers?
23:34 How much help, if the distribution is really targeted, can you provide for the items that you can buy for your Christmas parties and Christmas merch?
23:46 Ma'am, we at DTI don't have a DTI-wide party.
23:51 It's not clear to us because the purchase is too high.
23:58 The merch, the gifts, we don't have a budget for them.
24:04 The usual bundle packs that we sell in the grocery, that's what we get from all the agencies.
24:12 So we at DTI are united and we don't have a big celebration because we are all saving at this time.
24:22 I'm going to make you disappear, but we want to hear if you have monitoring reports on what you did, what you told the manufacturers.
24:30 Do you need to call out by name the manufacturers that were a bit slow in following the price guide?
24:37 In following the price guide, ma'am, so far, we are all stars.
24:42 Most of them comply.
24:45 In fact, when we did face-to-face, some were even slower.
24:49 Ma'am, even in online stores, we monitor because online selling is very popular now.
24:56 There are groceries that are online.
24:59 That's also part of our monitoring.
25:02 Based on our last check, ma'am, even the online stores are compliant with the price guide.
25:08 Okay. So it means that there is a possibility that you can name and shame.
25:13 Name the good ones and then shame the bad ones.
25:16 Will you do that? Will you call out those?
25:19 Possibly, there will be a supply because their company might also be closed.
25:24 That's possible, ma'am.
25:26 But so far, based on our monitoring, there are no complaints.
25:31 The name and shame, ma'am, of course, our current approach is to talk about it to work out, to come up with a solution on why it's not following.
25:41 But maybe, ma'am, we can also talk about the effective approach because maybe the name and shame is not good.
25:51 Alright.
25:52 And you, if you will follow the price guide, will that be your Noche Buena table or maybe it will be more luxurious?
25:59 Actually, there are a lot of things in the price guide.
26:03 There's macaroni, spaghetti, ham, queso, queso de bola.
26:08 If you want queso, there's queso, there's queso de bola.
26:11 So you can just look at the price guide.
26:15 I get hungry when I look at the price guide.
26:18 But you'll buy ground meat for the spaghetti.
26:23 You'll buy onions, the price is high now.
26:27 Hotdog for the spaghetti.
26:29 Hotdog for the spaghetti.
26:31 You'll buy bread for the sandwich spread.
26:34 Maybe you'll need a refrigerator, right?
26:36 It's like you don't have a juice machine.
26:38 Yes.
26:39 Maybe, ma'am, in the next year, we will make a more comprehensive list.
26:44 We encourage those suggestions.
26:47 But you're right, ma'am.
26:49 The hotdog, the Filipino spaghetti is not complete without hotdog.
26:54 It's sweet.
26:55 It's sweet.
26:56 It's sweet.
26:57 You're right, ma'am.
26:58 We can consider it.
26:59 We can take it up with the manufacturers.
27:01 So that your suggestion is good, that it's just one list, and everything is already here.
27:06 Yes.
27:07 I hope it's complete and realistic.
27:10 You can't make spaghetti without sauteed onions and cooking oil.
27:16 Right?
27:18 Yes.
27:19 Thank you for the suggestion, ma'am.
27:21 We will speak to our manufacturers so that the list is complete.
27:26 And if there's sandwich spread and queso, just put bread.
27:30 Yes.
27:31 Okay.
27:33 Just put queso.
27:34 It's necessary.
27:35 Ma'am, the bread is in the SRP Bulletin.
27:39 Correct.
27:40 So we actually monitor that all year round.
27:44 For the bread, if there's a price increase, it will notice of price adjustment to us.
27:50 We review the costing because it's included in the basic necessity.
27:56 You can addendum it to the SRP list.
28:03 Even carbonated drinks, the sweetened drinks.
28:06 We will addendum it.
28:08 Okay, ma'am.
28:09 We at DTI can email all the complaints and reports regarding the price guide.
28:16 Even the one in the SRP Bulletin, consumercare@dti.gov.ph.
28:23 Ma'am, we have a no wrong door policy.
28:26 So this Christmas, if they have a complaint, even if they want to buy Christmas items, Christmas lights,
28:34 and even Noche Buena items, all of them, all of them,
28:38 they can report it to that email.
28:41 Captain will be the one to act.
28:43 You will answer it.
28:44 There's a quick response.
28:46 Yes, ma'am.
28:47 Because when they email, the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau will pick up it.
28:54 And then if we evaluate, we will get the details.
28:58 We have a mediation, online mediation only.
29:02 So we can quickly go back and take action.
29:05 Around 7 days, we should be able to answer it.
29:09 Okay.
29:10 We just want to ask, what is your caseload?
29:12 How many cases are pending?
29:15 Right now, ma'am, there's none.
29:18 First of all, ma'am, I saw on our list, zero backlog.
29:23 So last year, everything was resolved.
29:27 For this year, ma'am, around, if I'm not mistaken, complaints, around 100 so far are pending.
29:35 But I have to check my exact number, ma'am.
29:38 All right.
29:39 You said that within 7 days, we should take action.
29:41 So are the complainants happy?
29:44 Yes, ma'am.
29:45 They are happy.
29:46 They might have already taken action but the complainants are sad.
29:49 What is it, ma'am?
29:50 Some of them, the result of the complaint is okay.
29:55 Most of the complaints are online.
29:59 Sometimes, they complain about the marketplaces.
30:03 We call both the seller, the marketplace, and the buyer to thresh out their issues.
30:12 So far, it's being resolved.
30:15 And if someone should be held accountable, we will give them a penalty.
30:20 Okay.
30:21 And just to be clear, how much work do you monitor?
30:26 Retail outlets, groceries, stores, markets?
30:29 Just to be clear, because your work is quite heavy?
30:35 Yes, ma'am.
30:36 Actually, we monitor the whole country, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
30:41 We are focused on supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores, the big retailers.
30:48 As to the exact number, ma'am, I'll get back to you because it's nationwide.
30:53 But I will emphasize, ma'am, because DILG released a report, Secretary Alpalos, that he is reactivating the LPCC.
31:04 So, we are focused on monitoring the prices of BNPCs, basic necessities, and prime commodities.
31:11 So, it's welcome because it also helps in monitoring so that everyone can go.
31:17 Okay. The LPCC is the Local Price Coordinating Council.
31:21 Okay. Thank you very much, Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles.
31:26 Thank you and good luck with your monitoring.
31:29 Merry Christmas!
31:31 Merry Christmas!
31:33 Thank you, ma'am.
31:34 [♪♪]