By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to make sure that the price of school supplies is reasonable and affordable, Malacañang said in a statement on Thursday, June 5.
The DTI, upon Marcos’ directive, released a comprehensive guide to enable the consumers to know the price of school items they need for the upcoming academic year, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Castro said, “Iniutos ng Pangulo sa DTI na siguraduhin na naaayon ang mga school supplies sa tamang presyo.”
She added, “Mabilis na aksiyon ang nais ng Pangulo para mabantayan at mapanatiling abot-kaya ang mga gamit pang-eskuwela para sa pamilyang Pilipino.”
Citing the DTI’s price guide, Castro said prices of 29 school items have decreased compared to the previous year. Likewise, she advised the public to check the price list of school supplies.
The Palace spokesperson declared, “Nandiyan din po ang presyo ng pinakamurang school supplies per category. So, konsultahin na lang po natin ang listahan na iyan at makikita po sa website ng DTI para makapili ng maayos at murang gamit ang inyong mga anak.”
The 2025 price guide covers 195 stock keeping units (SKUs) across 12 product categories, including more variations in notebooks, pad paper, pencils, ballpens, crayons, and other school essentials. The expansion helps parents and students find products that fit their needs and budget.
Prices of around 101 SKUs or 52 percent of the 195 listed items such as ballpens, erasers, and sharpeners remained the same from last year.
Based on the price guide, notebooks are priced at P15 to P52, while pad paper costs from P15 to P48.75. Pencils are sold from P11 to P24, while pens are available from P3 to P33.
Crayons, in various box sizes, can be purchased for P12 to P114, while erasers in various sizes remain priced between P4.50 and P20. Sharpeners are priced at P15 to P69, and rulers at P16 to P39.
The guide also introduces 48 new SKUs or 25 percent of the total list, providing consumers with even more options and introducing newer brands and variants. (PNA)
