AS THE school year for some is about to begin in less than a month, consumers are to anticipate an increase in the suggested retail price (SRP) of notebooks and pad papers, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao said.
"However, the increase may only be around less than 10 percent," Rachel Remetio, DTI-Davao chief for Consumer Protection Division and SME Development Division, said in an interview on Tuesday, May 15, at the sidelines of the DTI 11 One Town, One Product (Otop) Next Generation Act Session at the Seda Abreeza Hotel, Davao City.
She said the cause of the increase was mainly due to the inputs in the production of notebooks and pad papers like raw materials, power rates, and gasoline.
Remetio said the increase in the SRP of notebooks and pad papers was approved after talks between various stakeholders.
She said the agency will soon release a list of SRPs of commonly bought school supplies in time for the shopping rush before the school year begins for some.
"We usually release the SRP list around the middle of May," Remetio said.
She said they will have teams who will closely monitor retailers to see if the school supplies that are being sold are within the SRP.
Remetio said they encourage consumers to inform DTI should they see establishments or individuals selling school supplies or other items beyond the SRP.