CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – With the opening of classes set on June 16, the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) assured consumers that the prices of school supplies remain stable and affordable.
According to DTI Pampanga Consumer Protection Division Chief Nathaniel Samson, out of 195 school supply items monitored by the agency, only 17 increased in price, 25 went down, while 101 items retained their prices from last year.
He said that their price monitoring began two months before the school opening to ensure that consumers are protected from overpricing.
“Our price monitors are in the market daily. Based on their reports, most school supplies still follow the price guide released by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards,” Samson said.
The DTI regularly monitors eight basic school supply items including notebooks, writing pads, pens, rulers, crayons, and other essential items commonly used by students.
Samson said price movements ranged only from P5 to P15, with minor increases attributed to the transition back to full face-to-face classes after years of hybrid learning during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, many items were on promotional sales. Now that schools are fully reopening, only minimal price increases were recorded,” he explained.
Samson also clarified that school uniforms, bags, and shoes are not covered by their official price monitoring, following a memorandum issued by the Philippine Accreditation for Procurement.
On product quality and safety, especially for children’s use, he noted that the DTI checks product standards, such as the number of sheets in a notebook and binding type, while the Department of Health monitors items for hazardous contents, particularly in crayons, which are often colorful and attractive to children. (MJSC/MAGP, PIA Region 3-Pampanga GIP)