A WEEK before the opening of classes, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded anew commercial establishments in Negros Occidental to follow the new suggested retail prices (SRPs) set for school supplies.
Romel Amihan, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said they already distributed copies of the SRPs to the establishments including malls, department stores, and public market stalls.
Amihan said DTI-Negros Occidental is regularly monitoring these establishments.
The agency's monitoring team is checking on the price compliance among the products included in the "Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies" issued by DTI Central Office on May 25 this year, he added.
Based on the new SRPs, prices of 80 leaves of composition and writing notebooks range from P14.50 to P37.75 depending on the brand.
Spiral notebooks cost P14.30 to P27.75 while promo pack prices range from P129.75 to P445 also depending on brand.
For pad paper of various brands, the price of writing ranges from P8 to P49.75 per 80 leaves while intermediate cost P16.50 to P44.75 also per 80 leaves.
The SRPs for pencil range from P7.50 to P39.75 depending on number of pieces per pack. For ballpen, P6 to P32.75 per pack of one to three pieces.
Other products like crayons cost P12 to P69.75 per box; eraser - P7.50 to P14.75 per piece and P20 per pack; sharpener - P10 to P39.75 per piece; and ruler - P11.75 to P36.75 per piece.
Based on the new guide, prevailing SRPs for almost all of the school items have increased compared last year.
In 2018, prices of 80 leaves of composition and writing notebooks ranged from P12.20 to P34 depending on brand.
Spiral notebooks cost P12.20 to P34.75 while promo pack prices ranged from P129.75 to P164.75 also depending on brand.
For pad paper of various brands, the price ranged from P6 to P11 per 80 leaves. Writing and intermediate cost P11 to P42.75 and P12.20 to P33.75, respectively.
Three pieces per pack of pencils cost P12 to P37.50 while ballpens had an SRP of P5 to P30.75 per piece, also depending on brand.
The prices of other products like crayons remained at P12 to P69.75 per box; eraser - P7.50 to P14.75 per piece; sharpener - P8 to P34.75 per piece; and ruler - P9.76 to P32.75 per piece.
As per DTI's guidelines, erring establishments will be given show cause order by the agency for them to have fair opportunity to explain that their prices are reasonable.
"Those found violating the SRPs will be formally charged with profiteering, which is provided under Price Act," Amihan said, adding that the fines depend on the asset size of the business.