The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is currently making rounds across Negros Occidental in order to conduct a “price watch” on primary commodities as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is set to go into effect this month.

Among the products expected to see price increases include sugar and non-sugar based drinks, which could see hikes of P6 per liter; while prices on drinks using artificial sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, could surge by as much as P12 per liter.

Soft drinks, meanwhile, could see a price hike between P3 and P13, while powdered drinks are expected to increase by P6 and energy drinks by P2.

The price of 3-in-1 coffee products would remain untouched, which was earlier revealed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri during his visit in Negros Occidental last month.

The price of cigarettes are also affected by the law, wherein one pack of menthol-brand cigarettes could see increases from P64 to P109; along with swells from P67 to P85 per pack on non-menthol cigarettes./DGB, WDJ