ILOILO City – Follow the suggested retail price (SRP) for school supplies, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Iloilo told retailers.
DTI finally released the SRP table for school supplies in preparation for the resumption of classes.
The SRP table serves as a guide for consumers in comparing prices when purchasing school products in the market.
Classes in public elementary and high schools for school year 2022 – 2023 officially resume on Aug. 22. But some private schools have started as early as last week.
To ensure that retailers comply with the SRP, there will be weekly monitoring, according to DTI-Iloilo director Felisa Judith Degala.
Non-compliant retailers – those whose prices go beyond the SRP – will be getting letters of inquiry (LOI) from DTI. They would be asked to explain their prices. Manufacturers may also be questioned.
Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act is a law which provides protection to consumers by stabilizing prices and providing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations like the current coronavirus disease pandemic.
Those found selling at prices grossly in excess of the items’ true worth could be charged with profiteering or illegal price manipulation.
Another law that protects consumers is Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. It enumerates the punishable offenses during the COVID-19 national emergency. Among the offenses punishable under this law is hoarding, profiteering, cartel, and price manipulations.
LATEST SRP
For notebooks, the SRP ranges from P17.50 to P164.75. Here’s the breakdown:
* writing, 80 leaves – P17.50 to P34.75
* composition, 80 leaves – P17.50 to P34.75
* spiral, 80 leaves – P17.50 to P37.75
* yarn, 80 leaves – P19.80 to P27.50
* promo pack (packs of six notebooks with free item). 80 leaves – P129.75 to P164.75
On the other hand, pad papers are priced from P14 to P50. Here’s the breakdown:
* writing pad papers (Grade 1-4), 80 leaves – P14 to P50
* intermediate, 80 leaves – P22.50 to P30
The SRP of pencil ranges from P8.25 to P27 and ball pens from P7.75 to P32. Here’s the breakdown:
* ballpen per piece – P4.75 to P19
* ballpen promo pack (three pieces per pack) – P19 to P32
* pencil per piece – P8.25 to P13.25
* pencil promo pack (three pieces per pack) – P18 to P27
For crayons, prices depend on pieces per box.
An eight-piece crayon box should cost P18 to P27 while the SRP for a 12-piece box is P32.
A 16-piece box of crayons should cost around P33.75 to P49 and a 24-piece box from P45.75 to P69.
Meanwhile, sharpeners should be priced between P14 and P54 and rulers between P13 and P39.
According to Degala, aside from being particular with the prices, consumers should also check the quality and quality of the items.
DTI issued guidelines when buying pad papers, crayons, pencils, and ballpens, among others.
Degatal said consumers should consider the following:
* pad paper – number of leaves, type of paper used, brand name or trademark, name and address of the manufacturer, converter, or importer
* crayon – brand name o trademark, number of pieces in a box, name, and address of the manufacturer or distributor, the words “non-toxic”
* pencil – brand name o trademark, harness symbol
* ballpen – brand name o trademark, tip classification
Why is checking labels important?
“They contain information useful to consumers. You can only make a wise choice if you have complete information about the product,” said Degala.
To spread word about the recently released suggested retail price, DTI-Iloilo has distribute SRP tables to retailers.
It also requested retailers to displace the SRP tables near their school supplies section to guide consumers./PN
