MANILA — Prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) in the country will only rise starting April 17, following an agreement reached by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), manufacturers, and retailers during a meeting on Saturday.

In a statement, the DTI said representatives of manufacturers and retailers pledged to absorb current logistics and inventory pressures to maintain price stability amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“This price stability effort is supported by BNPC manufacturers and retailers who have pledged to absorb current logistics and inventory pressures,” the agency said.

The meeting included representatives from major manufacturers such as Alaska Milk Corporation, Nestle Philippines, Unilever Philippines, San Miguel Foods, Century Pacific Food Inc., and others, as well as the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines.

Retailer representatives included Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc., SM Markets, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., and the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association.

Last Friday, the DTI clarified that while Malacañang had declared a state of national energy emergency, this does not automatically impose a price freeze. Under Republic Act No. 7581, a 60-day price freeze applies only during a declared state of calamity in an area.

The DTI has jurisdiction over 726 variants of essential products, of which 196 stock keeping units (SKUs) have Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs). These include canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, processed milk, instant noodles, condiments, laundry soap, toilet soap, candles, salt, batteries, bottled water, and bread.

The agency encouraged the public to check the complete list of BNPCs and their SRPs on the DTI website, its social media channels, or directly at supermarkets and grocery stores.