DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – A few days before the All Saints’ Day commemoration, there has not been any movement in candle prices in supermarkets and retail stores in Pangasinan, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
According to Guillermo Avelino, Jr., senior trade and industry development specialist and in-charge of Consumer Protection Division of DTI-Pangasinan, based on the latest monitoring made by their office, the candle prices in the market in Pangasinan salt has remained at its previous price also based on latest suggested retail its price or SRP issued by DTI on August 12, 2022.
He added that there is still an adequate supply of candles in the province.
According to Avelino, there has already been a slight increase in candle price of six percent based on SRP on August 12, 2022 from its SRP issued on May 11 of the same year.
This is said to be caused by the increase in prices of packaging materials and paraffin wax which are the main ingredients in candle making.
Meanwhile, according to Avelino, based on the monitoring they did, supermarkets and retail stores in the province were found to be compliant with the SRP except for one store where they found its candle price above SRP.
“We issued a letter to this store to explain within three days why their prices exceeded SRP,” Avelino said.
Meanwhile, he reminded retailers and sellers not to exceed 10 percent of their acquisition cost on the set SRP of candle because it would be considered “profiteering” against the Price Act.
Avelino’s advice to shoppers to buy candles earlier to avoid buying at the cemetery itself which usually costs higher.
According to him, consumers may visit DTI’s website at www.dti.gov.ph or contact DTI Pangasinan at telephone number (075) 551-3183 or 636-3975 to inquire about candle brands with proper size and SRP. BY : ELSHA MARIE S. ARGUE