Makati: Price monitoring of basic commodities will continue to ensure that retailers will not raise their prices to the detriment of the public, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said Friday. This is part of efforts to maintain affordability as the Christmas holiday approaches.

According to Philippines News Agency, Roque assured the public that prices of essential goods remain generally unchanged. Monitoring of supermarkets and groceries continues for basic necessities and prime commodities, following the directive of the President, to ensure no price increases for basic commodities and prime necessities until January, she stated during a briefing at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office.

Despite the stable prices, Roque emphasized that a family of four or less can still enjoy a decent Noche Buena meal for PHP500, a point she reiterated from a recent radio interview. Citing prices from the DTI's list of Noche Buena items released in early November, she noted that a small family can afford to have spaghetti or salad for their Christmas Eve meal without financial strain.

The list includes items such as ham, starting at PHP170 for a 500-gram portion; spaghetti noodles at a minimum of PHP30 for a 250-gram pack; and macaroni priced at PHP24 per 200-gram. Other items include mayonnaise at PHP121.30 for a 220 ml jar; cheese spread at PHP12 for a 24 g sachet; queso de bola at PHP211.60 for 300 grams; fruit cocktail at PH61.76 for a 432 g can; and all-purpose cream at PHP36.50 per 110 ml pack.

Roque advised the public to check these prices on the DTI's Facebook page and website, as well as in grocery stores where prices should be visibly posted. She also mentioned that most basic goods remain at their 2024 price levels, with several items, including ham, having lower prices as producers respond to the government's call to maintain steady prices for public benefit.