DTI releases price guide for school supplies

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday released a price guide for school items in time for the opening of the new school year later this month.

In a statement, the DTI said its “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” serves as a price guide for consumers in purchasing school items.

They are as follows:

Notebook P11.80 - P52.00

Grades 1-4 pad paper  P9.50 - P61.00 

Intermediate pad paper P13.80 - P48.75

Pencils P11.00 - P33.00

Ballpens P3.00 - P33.00

A box of crayons with eight colors  P12.00 (regular) - P65.00 (jumbo)

Crayon pack (12-color) P32.00

Crayon pack (16-color) P24.00 - P83.00

Crayon pack (24-color) P34.00 - P114.00.

Sharpeners P15.00 - P69.00

Rulers P16.00 - P29.00

Erasers P4.50 to P20.00.

The Trade Department said that year-on-year 68% or 80 stock keeping units (SKUs) out of 117 recorded no price movement, while 8% or nine SKUs had decreased prices. 

About 24% or 28 SKUs showed an increase in prices.

The DTI, meanwhile, urged consumers to check the labels of school supplies. 

The labels must have the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, and the number of leaves must be indicated in notebooks and paper, among others.

“I urge consumers to buy school supplies from companies that comply with labeling requirements and use the Gabay in shopping. The Gabay indicates which SKUs have not increased or have retained their prices,” said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

The price guide was released as the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday opened the enrollment period for School Year 2024-2025 in all public schools across the country. 

—VAL, GMA Integrated News