By Michelle Ducut
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Sur has urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing Noche Buena products and to prioritize locally made items when shopping for gifts this holiday season.
Annabelle Polanco, DTI-Ilocos Sur Senior Trade and Industry Specialist, announced that the 2024 Noche Buena Price Guide is now available in grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide. She said the guide will help consumers compare prices and ensure they are paying fair amounts for essential holiday items. Polanco explained that while some prices have increased compared to last year, others have decreased. The price guide includes 12 categories of products, such as ham, which ranges from PHP 170 to PHP 928.50; queso de bola from PHP 210 to PHP 445; fruit cocktail from PHP 61.76 to PHP 302.50; cheese from PHP 56.50 to PHP 310; and mayonnaise from PHP 20.40 to PHP 245.85. Other products include all-purpose cream priced between PHP 36.50 and PHP 72, sandwich spread from PHP 27 to PHP 263.60, pasta or spaghetti noodles from PHP 32 to PHP 114, elbow macaroni from PHP 30.50 to PHP 126.25, tomato sauce from PHP 16.50 to PHP 92.85, salad macaroni from PHP 36.50 to PHP 126.25, and spaghetti sauce from PHP 28.50 to PHP 103.
To make the guide more user-friendly, Polanco shared that items with no price changes are marked with a star, while those with decreased prices are marked with a Christmas tree symbol. She encouraged consumers to check the posted price guides carefully and report any instances of overpricing through the DTI Ilocos Sur Facebook page or by contacting their hotline numbers.
Polanco also called on the public to support local products when shopping for gifts, encouraging the purchase of inabeltextiles, buri bags, Ilocano delicacies, T-shirts, and other handmade goods. She said supporting locally made items not only helps Ilocano producers but also promotes the province’s craftsmanship on a broader scale.
She emphasized the importance of checking items before purchasing to ensure they are not defective, that the correct prices are paid, and that the right items are received, especially for online purchases.
Locally made products are available at Calle Crisologo, One-Town One-Product (OTOP) hubs in Vigan City and Tagudin, and Pasalubong Centers in Candon City and Tagudin. These products can also be found at the 20 DTI Negosyo Centers in Ilocos Sur, located in Vigan City, Candon City, and the towns of Sinait, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina, Narvacan, Santa Maria, Burgos, San Esteban, Lidlidda, San Emilio, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin, Suyo, Cervantes, Alilem, and Sugpon.