With classes opening on June 16, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Western Visayas is urging parents and students to plan ahead and buy school supplies early to avoid the rush and ensure better choices.

In a press conference held June 4, DTI Western Visayas Director Rachel Nufable emphasized the importance of early shopping.

“It’s a matter of doing the canvas first, and it’s good to buy early so that you can compare what fits your budget,” Nufable said.

The updated suggested retail price list for school supplies includes 195 stock-keeping units (SKUs) from nine manufacturers and one retailer.

Nufable shared that 52 percent of the items retained their prices from last year, 15 percent became cheaper, and only nine percent increased in price.

According to the school supplies industry, the reasons for the price increases are high cost of paper, improved quality and an increase in production costs.

Despite these adjustments, DTI-Western Visayas Consumer Protection Division chief Grace Benedicto assured the public that the market outlook is positive.

“Prices are stable and supplies are sufficient,” Benedicto said.

DTI also reported that decreases in prices were observed in common items such as notebooks, pad paper and pencils.

These prices dropped due to promotional pricing in previous years.

The agency is urging the public to refer to the guide and practice wise spending during the back-to-school season.

“We encourage the public to use this guide as a reference when shopping for school supplies. By being informed consumers, we can all contribute to a smooth and affordable back-to-school season,” Nufable noted.

The DTI will continue monitoring stores in the region to ensure compliance with the SRP guide and safeguard consumer welfare. (PIA-6)