BACOLOD City – The government is strictly monitoring the prices of school supplies in Negros Occidental less than two weeks before classes open on June 4.
Specifically the Department of Trade and Industry is checking the prices of products listed under the “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” (a guide) that its central office released on May 15, said Reginald Hudierez, a senior trade and industry development specialist for Negros Occidental.
Stores must comply with suggested retail prices, or SRPs, Hudierez said.
The DTI gives particular attention to frequently purchased products, not high-end items, he added.
Establishments in Negros Occidental, mostly in this capital city, have been compliant with SRPs, especially for notebooks, over the past several years, noted Hudierez.
The DTI expects the same level of compliance this year but will not be complacent, he stressed.
A “show-cause order” will be issued to erring establishments for a chance to explain.
Violators of SRPs will be charged with profiteering, which comes with fines depending on the asset size of the business, Hudierez said.
New SRPs for 80-leaf composition and writing notebooks are between P12.20 and P34 while for spiral notebooks, between P12.20 and P34.75, the DTI guide showed.
Prices of pad papers range from P6 to P11 per 80 leaves while writing and intermediate pads are priced at P11 to P42.75 and P12.20 to P33.75, respectively.
A pack of three pencils should cost P12 to P37.50 while ball pens have SRPs of P5 to P30.75 per piece.
Crayons are priced at P12 to P69.75 per box; erasers, P7.50 to P14.75 per piece; sharpeners, P8 to P34.75 per piece; and rulers, P9.76 to P32.75 per piece. (PNA)
