ONLY 17 out of 195 school supply items or about nine percent have seen price increases this year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) newly released price matrix called “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies.”
The annual price guide, published through the DTI’s Fair Trade Group (FTG), offers updated retail prices across 12 product categories to help Filipino families shop smarter as they prepare for the opening of 2025 school year.
Out of the 195 stock-keeping units (SKUs) listed, only eight SKUs posted minimal price adjustments of three to 10 percent, or about a P1 to P5 hike for three notebook variants, two pencil packs, two crayon sets, and one ruler.
Meanwhile, 29 SKUs saw price rollbacks, with reductions of between P1 and P10 for four notebook SKUs, 24 pad paper SKUs; and 1 pencil SKU.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized the agency’s commitment to affordability under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
“The DTI is committed to ensuring that Filipino families have access to reasonably priced school supplies. We know how challenging it can be for parents to prepare their children for school, so this Price Guide is our way of easing that burden, making sure students can return to the classroom equipped, confident, and ready to learn without putting too much strain on the family budget,” Roque said.
Aside from price cuts, more than half of the items, or 101 SKUs, maintained their 2024 rates, including all listed ballpens, erasers, and sharpeners.
The 2025 guide also introduces 48 new SKUs, offering a wider range of choices for consumers, including new brands and variants.
Symbols in the guide can help parents easily spot deals; a pen icon denotes no price change, while scissors signal reduced prices.
Roque urged consumers to examine product labels carefully and avoid untagged goods, particularly those lacking information on the manufacturer or importer.
“Every peso counts for Filipino families, especially during back-to-school season. This price guide is a promise that under this administration, no learner is left behind,” she said.
