THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to begin its monitoring on establishments selling school supplies to ensure that their products are within its suggested retail price (SRP).
"Our monitoring will be based on the SRPs released. If they will sell more than the SRPs, we will issue show cost order and the establishment will have to explain. An investigation will happen after," DTI Davao City Director Jinky Remitio said Tuesday, May 28, in phone interview.
"SRPs are set for the best interest of everyone, the consumers. Our monitoring will be regular and strict, as always," she added.
After the release of SRPs on Saturday, May 25, the DTI will start monitoring specific establishments or outlets known to be the regular stop-shop of majority of the consumers when it comes to school supplies.
"Along with our monitoring, we will also give out copies of SRPs to establishments that have no copies yet so there will be no reason that they could not comply," Remitio said.
For the past years, Remitio said most of the retailers in the city offer lower prices or within the SRPs as adviced.
"Kasi wala din bibili kung mahal ang mga tinda nila, magka-ceasing sanction pa sila from the regulatory body at maging subject pa sila ng investigation which is a hassle," she said.
Meanwhile, Remitio explained that the increase of SRPs on most school supplies brand compared to last year was due to the increase of inputs of the manufacturers such as the cost of paper, electricity, among others.