According to Mr. Julian Antonio Parra, president of the Asociacion de Comerciantes Mayoristas de los Mercados, Christmas meant a significant increase in prices for basic staples. Mr. Parra told the newspaper El Siglo, that cooking oil will now be sold at RD$78 instead of RD$75 per US gallon. He added that “all other basic staples will be sold with a five percent increase next year.(i.e. 1996)”