DTI: Prices of candles stay, but not of flowers
Prices of flowers, used as offerings to the tombs of the departed loved ones of Filipinos during All Souls’ Day, usually double a week before the occasion
A SCENE from the Domrose candle factory in Caloocan City on Monday. A worker is busy making and packing candles to be delivered to customers ahead of the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days. | PHOTOGRAPH BY ANALY LABOR FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE@tribunephl_ana
The Department of Trade Industry has assured that there will be no price adjustments for candles barely a week before the commemoration of All Saints' and All Souls' days.
However, the DTI said the price of flowers is another matter since they don't fall in the category of basic necessities and prime commodities.
In an advisory, the DTI said the suggested retail price of candles released by them last August should be adhered to, otherwise, sellers caught marking up the SRP shall be liable for violating Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.
"In line with the upcoming celebration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, please be informed that DTI currently has an existing SRP for candles based on the August 2022 SRP. However, for flowers, DTI will not issue SRP because it's not considered BNPC," the DTI said in a short statement Monday.
Prices of flowers, used as offerings to the tombs of the departed loved ones of Filipinos during All Souls' Day, usually double a week before the occasion.
The BNPC includes, but is not limited to, canned and other food products, bottled water, dairy, and common household or kitchen supplies, including candles.
Based on the August SRP bulletin, which is deemed enforceable and effective until DTI issues a new one, the regular Liwanag Esperma Candle White (20 pcs per pack) is priced at P65.78, while the bigger one is priced at P85.05.
Any act of illegal price manipulation of any basic necessity or prime commodity under the Price Act has an appropriate penalty of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 15 years. It also comes with a fine of not less than P5,000 not more than P2 million.
This early, prices of arranged flowers in Dangwa Market in Sta. Cruz is expected to be higher by P20 to P30, depending on the time of the flowers' arrival, usually from Baguio and Mountain Province.
Prices of flowers known to be sold in Dangwa are as follows: Malaysian mums at P150 per bundle; Carnation — P220 per 10 stems; Casablanca — P150 per stem; Stargazer —P150 per stem; Sunflower — P120 per stem; Red roses — P250 per dozen; White roses — P250 per dozen; Ecuadorian roses — P150 per stem; and Tulips at P90 per stem.