The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is monitoring the prices of school supplies as classes for School Year 2025-2026 started on Monday, June 16.
The agency said the initiative marks the third leg of special school supply monitoring activities.
The move is aimed to ensure that prices are affordable and within the "Gabay sa Pamimili" or price guide.
"Our resolve is to ensure that our 'Gabay sa Pamimili' is truly reflected in the market, allowing every student to be equipped for learning," Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said.
The monitoring covers a total of 129 school items in retail outlets.
The initiative includes assurance of adequate supply along with compliance to the existing “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” price list.
The DTI earlier held the "Diskwento Caravan: Balik-Eskwela Edition" across the country, to provide Filipino families with access to quality school essentials and key “baon” staples at affordable prices ahead of the new academic year.
On Monday, some 27 million students trooped to public and private schools, said the Department of Education DepEd.
For SY 2025-2026, DepEd projected the enrollment in elementary at 15.42 million; junior high school (Grades 7 to 10) at 8.01 million; and senior high school (Grades 11 and 12) at 4.17 million.
SY 2025-2026 will run until March 2026, with a total of 197 class days.