00:00 Julia's grocery cart was full and heavy whenever she bought something.
00:07 But now...
00:08 We are really running out of basket.
00:11 We are budgeting now because we can really feel the inflation.
00:18 The Department of Trade and Industry approved the high price of coffee and salt recently.
00:25 Today, DTI also approved the additional price of 1.50 pesos to 6 pesos for several brands of sardines, milk and soap that are full of expensive raw materials.
00:39 This is the second time this January that DTI issued a new SRP.
00:44 In addition, there are 45 products that are in the price bulletin that have a high additional price of 30 centimo to 30 pesos, including several brands of instant noodles, bread, bottled water, condiments and candle.
01:01 The Department of Trade and Industry is studying the improvement of the increase of hunger rate.
01:11 In the survey of social weather stations, from 9.8% in September 2023, the hunger rate increased to 12.6% or the Filipino experienced hunger in December.
01:25 We are working with all government agencies to take care of our concerns regarding hunger. So that is how we can temper the price increases and ask manufacturers not to totally pass on to consumers the price adjustment they are asking for.
01:46 In March, the new SRP bulletin is expected to be issued. It will be presented as a study on the removal of the suggested retail price during the time when it is not necessary.
01:58 A study that was done in 2015 by DOJ saying that on regular times, there is no need for SRP. But on crisis times or times of disasters, maybe that's a time when government can step in.
02:20 DTI said that businesses will be encouraged to produce more products.
02:26 Then there will be increased supply and increased supply will mean lower prices.
02:32 Some businessmen are in favor of this but a consumer group is against it.
02:37 We are against SRP because it limits the margins. Senior citizens discount is included. 5% and if 5% is expected in basic necessities and prime commodities, we don't have any gift on those items.
02:53 If they let the capitalist businessmen, especially the manufacturing sector, dictate the price of the goods, the government is removing the control to protect our consumers.
03:17 We still have the law of profiteering. If there is no SRP, the prices will be monitored. If there is an undue, the prices can go up without a reason. We have other powers.
03:35 Meanwhile, the target is to increase the e-price where you can see online the list of stores that have the cheapest products.
03:44 In addition, the National Price Coordinating Council also discussed the non-requirement of bringing a booklet of senior citizens who are asking for a discount.
03:55 Kalei Zalfardiliya for the people.
03:59 For more information, visit www.nrf.gov.in
04:04 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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