The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance to the conduct of Retail Price Surveys on 01 April 2019. The surveys aim to provide essential information on retail prices and other relevant information of selected commodities in selected major trading centers throughout the country. The surveys also aim to collect  data for the generation of Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Retail Price Index (RPI), and monitoring of prices of agricultural commodities.

The surveys cleared for conduct are the following:

• Retail Price Survey of Selected Commodities and Services for the Generation of Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The retail price survey of selected commodities and services for the generation of the CPI is conducted in varying frequency, i.e. daily, thrice a week, weekly, twice a week, monthly, semestral and semi-annually. The survey aims to generate the CPI which measures changes in the average retail prices at a fixed basket of goods and services commonly purchased by household relative to a base year. The survey covers around 10,000 retail stores/outlets in all provinces and selected cities. Conduct of the survey will utilize a total of Php 53.2 million which are allocated for travelling expenses and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE). Results are released on the 5th day after the reference month for CPI/inflation rates of all income households and on the 20th day after the reference month for the CPI/inflation rates of the bottom 30% income households which is in compliance to the System of Designated Statistics (SDS).

• Retail Price Survey of Selected Commodities for the Generation of Retail Price Index (RPI)

The retail price survey of selected commodities for the generation of general retail price index (GRPI) is conducted thrice a week, weekly and twice a week in the NCR only. The survey aims to generate the GRPI which is used to monitor the economic situation of the retail trade sector. It is also used as a deflator in the estimation of the National Accounts of the Philippines on the retail trade sector and serves as basis in forecasting business in retail trade. The survey which covers 80 retail stores/outlets in NCR shall utilize a total budget of Php 33.6 million. Estimates of the GRPI are scheduled for release every 30th day after the reference month while the Construction Materials Retail Price Index (CMRPI) are published every 15th days after the reference month. 

• Retail Price Survey for Selected Agricultural Commodities

The retail price survey for selected agricultural commodities aims to monitor the prices of agricultural commodities traded in major trading centers of the country. It also serves as a guide to farmer’s decision related to the type or volume of agricultural production. The retail prices information is collected thrice or twice a week. The survey covers five (5) retailers/store owners per market per commodity in NCR, 78 provinces and two (2) cities (Zamboanga City and Davao City) in the Philippines. A total budget of Php 3.4 million will be used for the field operations. Results of the survey are scheduled to be released every Wednesday after the reference week for the selected agricultural commodities and every Friday after the reference week for palay/rice and corn prices.

The retail price surveys were reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No.10625 to:

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the public to support the said surveys.

For further information on SSRCS (https://psa.gov.ph/ssrcs), please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

FOR THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN:

JOSIE B. PEREZ
Assistant Secretary
Deputy National Statistician
Officer-in-Charge
 

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.