The Department of Trade and Industry in Western Visayas has encouraged consumers, especially parents buying their children’s study materials to refer to the “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” for guidance in purchasing.

The guide, accessed through the DTI website, enumerates the suggested retail prices (SRP) of eight essential school supplies, including notebooks, pad paper, pencils, ballpen, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers.

“School supplies are considered prime commodities defined under the Price Act,” said Consumer Protection Division Chief Grace M. Benedicto in a press conference on Monday.

Benedicto said if possible, they should purchase early to avoid crowds.

“Canvass before you buy and know the requirements from the schools,” she added.

In the same press conference, DTI-6 Regional Director Rachel N. Nufable said they are currently conducting price monitoring in different business establishments ahead of the consumer influx for the incoming opening of classes.

The price monitoring is part of their mandate to oversee school supplies retail within two months before the opening of classes on July 29.

They conduct weekly monitoring in key cities and monthly monitoring in non-key cities.

“Compared to last year, we notice the stability in the price of school supplies,” she said.

Based on the monitoring, 68 percent of the 173 total stock-keeping units (SKUs), equivalent to 80 SKUs, indicate no change in price.

Meanwhile, eight percent, or nine SKUs, recorded a price decline, while 24 percent, or 28 SKUs, showed increased prices due to higher raw materials and production costs.

The price increase is apparent in supplies with paper materials, like a certain notebook brand, which retailed at PHP23 last year but is now priced at PHP27. (PNA)