BACOLOD CITY — Less than two weeks before the school opening on June 4, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has stepped up the monitoring of prices of school supplies in Negros Occidental.
Reginald Hudierez, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said they have started checking the prices on Wednesday to ensure that stores are complying with suggested retail prices (SRPs).
He said they are monitoring prices of products listed in the “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” released by the DTI Central Office on May 15, 2018.
The DTI particularly monitors frequently purchased products, not the high-end items, Hudierez added.
He pointed out that establishments in Negros Occidental, mainly in Bacolod City, have been compliant with SRPs especially for notebooks for the past several years.
Excesses were “very few” but usually on prices of pencils, he said, adding that establishments would comply immediately once the DTI gives them a notice.
Hudierez said they expect the same level of compliance this year, but they are not complacent.
He added that the DTI will issue show-cause order to erring establishments for an opportunity to explain.
Violators of SRPs will be formally charged with profiteering as provided in the Price Act, with corresponding fines depending on the asset size of the business.
Meanwhile, the DTI list shows the new SRPs for 80 leaves of composition and writing notebooks at PHP12.20 to PHP34 while for spiral notebooks, PHP12.20 to PHP34.75.
Prices of pad papers range from PHP6 to PHP11 per 80 leaves while writing and intermediate pads are priced at PHP11 to PHP42.75 and PHP12.20 to PHP33.75, respectively.
A pack of three pencils should cost PHP12 to PHP37.50 while ballpens have SRPs of PHP5 to PHP30.75 per piece.
Other items such as crayons are priced at PHP12 to PHP69.75 per box; eraser, PHP7.50 to PHP14.75 per piece; sharpener, PHP8 to PHP34.75 per piece; and ruler, PHP9.76 to PHP32.75 per piece. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
