The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ramped up its campaign to ensure the availability of affordable school supplies, as schools prepare to reopen in June.
On June 1, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque led an inspection of various stores in Divisoria Market, a known destination for back-to-school essentials.
The move followed the release of DTI’s “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies,” a comprehensive price guide to help parents and students make informed purchasing decisions.
“This year, we are committed to carrying out our duty to the full extent, not only by issuing school supply price guides, but by making sure these are genuinely reflected in stores and markets,” Roque said.
The DTI inspected seven ambulant stores and one major school supply chain outlet, wherein the team checked 223 stock keeping units (SKUs), including common school items such as notebooks, pad paper, pencils, pens, crayons, sharpeners, and rulers.
All items were found to be compliant with the suggested retail prices (SRPs) listed in the guide.
Roque also engaged with vendors and shoppers to better understand current market conditions and consumer behavior.
“We know that preparing for the new school year can be overwhelming for many families. That’s why we urge parents and students to use our price guide as a tool to stretch every peso wisely,” she said.
“By being informed and vigilant, we can all help ensure that every child walks into class with the supplies they need, and with dignity and confidence,” she added.
To further assist consumers, the price guide has been posted in school supply establishments for public reference.
The DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), regularly monitors the prices of school supplies in the lead-up to each school year.
Since May, the agency has already inspected 61 school supply outlets across Metro Manila as part of its intensified monitoring efforts.
