DTI releases 2016 price guide for school supplies

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Advocacy Bureau (DTI-CPAB) releases the 2016 Price Guide for School Supplies to assist the consumers on their purchases as well as the retailers on their distribution and sale.

1.    The guide includes the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) for school supplies that were issued by manufacturers to retailers so as to ensure market share and fair competition in the market.  These prices factor in the production cost, distribution cost, and profit margins of retailers and distributors.

2.    The 2016 version of the “Gabay sa Presyo ng School Supplies” features a new format in which products are classified according to prices with no changes, increases and decreases for easy reading and reference of consumers.

3.    The price guide was published Published on 17 May 2016 in Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Abante and Bulgar. 

4.    The prices of school supplies are generally stable.

5.    Majority of the school supplies retained their prices last year.

6.    Some brands increased their prices due to increase in FOREX and cost of raw materials (color pigment for crayons; wood slab for pencil).

7.    A brand of crayons decreased its price from P1.00 to P6.00.

8.    Some brands of crayons, pencil, ball pen, eraser and sharpener were added in this year’s price guide.

9.    DTI’s “Gabay sa Presyo ng School Supplies” offers a wide variety of brands of school supplies, giving consumers more choices in shopping for said goods.

10.  Retailers and manufacturers are enjoined to comply with the price guide for school supplies.

11.  The DTI, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, continues to intensify its price monitoring activities on school supplies.

12.  Retailers found to be selling above the prices indicated in the “Gabay sa Presyo ng School Supplies” will be issued with Show Cause Orders (SCOs) to have them explain on the high prices of their products within 48 hours.

13.  Pursuant to DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 06, Series of 2007, retailers found to be selling at very high prices can be imposed with an administrative fine of P20,000.00 to a maximum of P1,000,000.00 while criminal penalties under the Price Act include imprisonment from five (5) up to 15 years.

Consumers are advised to be guided by the “Gabay sa Presyo ng School Supplies” on their purchases, and to report retailers selling above the prices indicated in the guide by calling DTI Direct 751.3330 or 0917.8343330. (DTI)