Manufacturers to ask for canned sardines’ price increase due to TRAIN

by Gutierrez, Angelo, Mar 3, 2018

Manufacturers of canned sardines will ask the government for a price increase because of higher production costs due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

A report on 24 Oras said canned sardines manufacturers will ask the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for an increase of between P1.00 and P2.00 per can of sardines.

The report said that according to the manufacturers, the cost of imported raw materials for canned sarines, including the tomato paste, has increased due to the TRAIN Law.

The manufacturers also cited the increase in the pump prices of petroleum products and electricity.

A regular canned sardines costs between P13 and P14.

The DTI, meanwhile, said the pending price hike petition may be turned down because it was too much.

“Iyong sa TRAIN itsel, ang impact niya is only about six centavos. Assuming marami pa tayong factors to consider katulad ng tin can, ito ay puwede rin nasa mga 20 centavos pang karagdagan,” said Lilian Salonga, director of the DTI’s Consumer Protection Advovacy Bureau.

Steven Cua, president of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, said they will not ask the DTI for an increase “for no good reason.”

Consumers interviewed by GMA News said an increase of P2.00 in canned sardines would be too much of a burden, citing the increase in the prices of other basic commodities. —report from Rida Reyes/ALG, GMA News