‘Reasonable’ school supply price list is out

MANILA  -The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday issued a price guide for school supplies in local markets as part of the government’s efforts to inform consumers about what prices can be considered as reasonable.

The DTI said the “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” is meant to assist consumers in purchasing these school items, goods that are classified as prime commodities under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act.

It added that the price guide would support the Department of Education’s back to school program as the school year 2023 to 2024 begins on Aug. 29.

“While prices of some products have remained unaffected by recent market trends, other school supplies saw price increases. This is primarily due to increased global cost of basic raw materials,” said Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, who heads the department’s consumer protection group.

Under the price guide, notebook prices range from P23 to P52. Pad paper for grades 1 to 4 are priced from P21 to P28 and intermediate pad paper costs P31 to P48.75.

Meanwhile, the prices of writing materials such as pencils and ballpoint pens range from P11 to P17, and from P9.75 to P19, respectively.

A box of crayons with eight colors are priced for as low as P12 to as much as P34.

On the other hand, a 12-color pack costs P32, while the price of a 16-color pack goes for P24 to P69.

Prices of erasers vary from P4.50 to P20, depending on the size, while pencil sharpeners and rulers are priced at P18 to P69 and P22.00 to P27.75, respectively.

The DTI website contains a full list of these school items and their corresponding prices.

DTI Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau Director Marcus Valdez II said the government agency was closely coordinating with the manufacturers of school supplies to ensure that prices are reasonable and that supply is sufficient in the market. INQ