DTI assures no hike in school supply prices

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured the public there will be no increase in the prices of school supplies this year.

"Consumers can buy their school needs at the same prices as last year. This is good news especially for those parents (who) are preparing for the opening of classes,"  Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said.

Yesterday, Favila met with manufacturers, importers, traders and retailers to discuss the price and supply situation of school supplies. In the meeting, Favila said manufacturers assured him there is adequate supply of school materials.   

In fact, he said manufacturers are coming out with 80-leaves paper products, which will be one peso cheaper.  This move gives consumers an affordable choice for its notebook and pad paper needs.  

In addition to this, Favila said his people will be going around stores to check on the prices of school supplies.

The DTI will continue to monitor the prices of school materials in the following weeks to ensure that no retailer would take advantage of the buying season to unjustly raise their prices, Favila said.

Present during the meeting with Favila were top officials from Philippine School Pads and Notebooks Manufacturers Association Inc., Sterling Group of Companies, Amalgamated Specialties, Corona Supply Co. Inc., Advance Paper Corp., Veco Paper Corp., Times Trading Co. Inc., Merriam and Webster Bookstore, Goodwill Bookstore and National Bookstore. 

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya warned retailers to always put a price tag on their merchandise.

"Price tags are essential to guard the public from profiteering because no item may be sold at a higher price than what the price tag indicates,"  she stressed.

She added that placing a price tag on merchandise guides consumers with their shopping, as they tend to refer to the price tag in choosing products and in gauging their expenses in relation to their budget.