ILOILO City – A week before the resumption of classes in public elementary and high schools, prices of school supplies such as notebooks and writing pads have increased.
One reason was the shutdown of several paper mills in China where manufacturers sourced their raw materials, according to Felisa Judith Degala, chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6’s consumer protection division.
“The major sources of raw materials for paper used to be China and Malaysia. But Malaysia no longer exports these so our manufacturers are solely dependent on China,” she said.
Last year, however, China enforced new anti-pollution regulations. Degala said this resulted to the closure of several paper mills there.
“The demand is high now but the supply is low, resulting to higher prices,” said Degala.
As monitored by DTI, these are the prices in retail stores:
* composition notebook (80 leaves) using econo bond paper and book paper – price up between P1 to P3
* spiral notebook using econo bond paper and book paper – price up between P1 to P4
* notebook promo pack (six notebooks of 80 leaves each per pack) – price up between P10 to P25
One source of consumers’ relief is that retailers are so following the suggested retail prices (SRP) of DTI.
“We have not monitored retailers’ prices breaching the SRP of school supplies,” said Degala.
She advised buyers to use as guide the DTI SRP so they can make wise purchases.
They may contact DTI for irregularities in retail prices, said Degala.
DTI is also helping parents through its “Balik Eskwela Diskwento” program in cooperation with various commercial establishments.
From May 28 to June 10, participating Iloilo establishments are selling school supplies – such as pencils, crayons, ballpoint pens, notebooks, bags, writing pads, bond papers, etc. – at discounted rates, said David Sinay, information officer of DTI-6.
Participating commercial establishments display “Balik Eskwela Diskwento” streamers for easy identification.
“Para masiguro nga barato ang makuha nila nga school supplies pangitaon nila ang mga stores nga may yara sang karatola nga nagapasakop sa Diskwento sale,” said Sinay.
Last year, the participating commercial establishments gathered at the Iloilo provincial capitol for the two-week sale. This year, they have opted to do this in their own stores to avoid the inconvenience of having to transport lots of school supplies.
They will be adhering to DTI’s suggested retail prices.
DTI urged more retailers of school supplies to participate in the “Balik Eskwela Diskwento” program.
In the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental, the “Balik Eskwela Diskwento” kicked off on the second week of May, said Sinay./PN
