DTI: Prices of school supplies to rise as material costs spike

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned consumers of price hikes on school supplies for the school year 2023-2024 following the global increase in the price of raw materials.

“The DTI notes that while the price of some items has remained the same, the price of others may increase due to the impact of the global increase in the cost of basic materials on the price of school supplies,” said Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Ruth Castelo.

In the recently published Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies, the suggested retail price (SRP) of almost all school supply stock-keeping units (SKUs) has increased by as much as P9.

STRANDED.

Passengers bound for Bacolod, Cebu, Zamboanga, Butuan, Dipolog, Cagayan, and Puerto Princesa at the North Passenger Terminal in Tondo, Manila wait for food ration after their scheduled trip was canceled due to Typhoon Egay on Tuesday.

The price guide includes 91 SKUS of specific brands of notebookscomposition, spiral, and writing, pad paper for Grades 1 to 4 and intermediate, pencils, ballpoint pens, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers.

As of July 2023, notebook prices range from P23.00 to P52.00 with an increase of P5.50 to P7 per unit, while Grades 1 to 4 pad paper prices vary from P21.00 to P28.00. Intermediate pad paper, on the other hand, costs from P31.00 to P48.75,