Presyo Hold Muna: Basic Goods Makers Press Pause on Hikes Until April 16
Manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities have agreed not to raise prices until April 16, giving consumers a bit of breathing room while fuel worries and Middle East tensions continue to rattle markets.
According to The Manila Times, the Department of Trade and Industry said this commitment followed a March 28 virtual meeting led by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque with major manufacturers and retailers. Big names in food, household goods, and supermarket retail were part of the agreement.
The DTI said it will step up monitoring nationwide so the promise is actually felt on store shelves. The agency also reminded the public that the automatic price freeze under the Price Act is not triggered by the current national energy emergency alone, so this pause is a voluntary industry commitment, not an automatic legal freeze.
Officials said the goal is to keep essentials stable while the government works on fuel supply, diesel procurement, and subsidy support for affected sectors like transport, farmers, and fisherfolk. Malaking bagay ito for families already watching every peso at the grocery.
For now, the message from both government and business is clear: hold the line on prices, avoid panic, and protect household budgets while the broader energy and supply situation remains under close watch.
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/30/news/national/manufacturers-to-defer-price-hikes-until-april-16/2310067
