The president of Asosasyon ng Panaderong Pilipino has asked fellow bakery owners to let Filipino consumers enjoy the remaining days of the holiday season by not increasing the prices of bread.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, Chito Chavez, president of the said group, stressed that it is a tradition for bakery owners and bread manufacturers to maintain prices from 15 until 31 December yearly to provide convenience to consumers.

Moreover, Chavez urged colleagues to tighten belts further even though the demand is huge right now amid skyrocketing prices of raw materials, including egg and sugar, with a slight increase in butter or margarine.

Prices of flour, however, remain stable, but the price of liquefied petroleum gas and diesel made a spike, according to Chavez.

"Kung kaya pang magtiis, magtiis na muna. Ilang araw na lang din naman bago matapos ang taon. (Let's bear and grin it, there are only a few days left in the year anyway)," he said.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry confirmed that 18 manufacturers of bread and coffee are among those who are requesting to increase prices.

But DTI Consumer Protection Group spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said a price increase will happen in 2024 for basic necessities and prime commodities.