Since the lockdown in March 2020, the Department of Trade & Industry has been coming out with a series of webinars to inform retailers, consumer groups and the public in general about DTI’s rulings, programs and rehashed policies in view of the virus situation.  On 2 October 2020, the Webinar was regarding the periodic Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) for Basic Necessities & Prime Commodities (BNPC) as announced by the DTI for food retailers and the buying public to provide a guideline as to the prevailing prices of monitored items as released by manufacturers. PAGASA is part of the National Price Coordinating Council (chaired by the DTI Secretary) as shown in one of the pictures (pardon the haziness). PAGASA President STC brought to the attention of the DTI once more that retailers HAVE TO BE consulted by the DTI when they set SRPs based on the list price given by manufacturers of BNPCs as some of these prices do not provide retailers the margins needed to cover operating costs all the more extend discounts to Senior Citizens (which supermarkets shoulder) and People With Disabilities (PWDs) as provided by law.