Don't panic buy: Supermarkets group advises to take only 15% more than normal needs amid fears of price hike

The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association has urged households not to panic buy, but instead purchase only 15% more than what they really need amid fears of higher grocery costs.

The group's president, Steven Cua, told One News' Money Talks that even in the midst of the oil price hike, the prices of basic and prime commodities are still stable.

"There's still supply. I'm glad the buying public acted in sobriety and didn't go out panic buying over the last weekend—it was a payday weekend—I went out to check and I asked members and it seemed like nobody went panic buying," he said.

Cua added that only one major manufacturer has so far warned of a price increase in April, even before the first missile was fired in the Middle East on Feb. 28. Others may follow suit when they have to purchase new raw materials at higher rates.

"It all depends on their inventory, how much [they] have left to be able to say 'I'm keeping prices where they are,'" he said.

Cua further noted that grocery costs may stay the same for a while as long as the public doesn't go out panic buying.

He also urged the public not to hoard grocery items and gave advice on what they can do instead.

"If you want to be safe, [just buy] 15% maybe on top of what you really need, and that way, we leave enough, we leave ample stocks for other people to be able to buy from supermarkets," Cua said.