By DANNY O. SAGUN
PIA-Pangasinan Infocenter

EXCEPT for sugar, prices of basic goods remained stable even with the implementation of the reformed value added tax, according to the trade and industry provincial office.

Marjury Loresco of DTI Pangasinan said that prices of basic commodities like canned goods, cement and other manufactured products remain practically the same as when last monitored a week ago.

She said that portland cement is selling from P155 to P160 per bag for several days now. If there was any price increase for other products, she said it was only minimal, ranging from 25 to 50 centavos.

Increased domestic demand for sugar aggravated by problems in production cause sugar prices to go up, she noted.

One of the biggest sugar producers, the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, was beset by labor problems affecting domestic production.

From 10 percent, VAT is now pegged at 12 percent effective this month. The reformed VAT aims to collect more revenues for government to fund its vital infra programs. [DOS/PIA]