SAN FERNANDO CITY—Not much change in prices of commodities was noted in the province of La Union during the past week, the Department of Trade and Industry regional office said.

The DTI, in a report to the Philippine Information Agency regional office said this was based on the inspection conducted in the wet market of San Fernando City, 11 supermarkets and groceries, nine lumber and hardware stores, eight flour retailers, and seven bakeshops, all in San Fernando.

Nieva Rafada, Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist of the DTI regional office, said the monitoring team noted only a minimal increase in prices of commodities as compared to last week’s.

Rafada noted that retail prices of several commodities like sardines, bread, flour, cement, and steel bars increased during the period.

The price of canned sardines, like 555, went up from P9.85 to P10.40; Toyo sardines from P10.00 to P10.75; Argentina beef loaf from P14.60 to P15.35.

Champion detergent bar, from P16.50 to P17.25; loaf bread (400g) from P27.00 to P30.00;m loaf bread(600g.) from P32 to P35; Angel white hard flour (25kg/bag) from P965 to P970.

The price of construction materials like Excel Type1P Portland cement (40kls) increased from P174 to P178; Primary steel bars(10mm) from P168 to P172 and Primary steel bars (12mm) from P246 to P248; and Cathay Pacific steel bars (12mm) from P242 to P248.

The price of cement, the report stated, went up due to increase in its ex-plant price set by Holcim Philippines, Inc.

Another round of increase however was noted in the prevailing price of steel bars due to the upward trend in the prices of its raw materials in the world market and the strong worldwide demand. (PNA)