SCHOOL SUPPLY MANUFACTURERS ASSURED DTI OF NO PRICE INCREASE

The opening of schoolyear 2015-2016 is fast approaching and the Department of Trade Industry through its Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) has begun its campaign in ensuring reasonable prices and ample supply of school supplies that are under the list of basic necessities and prime commodities of the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.

Last week, the DTI-CPG met with the manufacturers and traders of school supplies to discuss the prices and supply of their products.

“The DTI has maintained an open communication with the industry of school supplies and we continuously discuss their price and supply situation to level the playing field among them and to guarantee their cooperation in promoting consumer welfare”, Undersecretary Dimagiba reports.

Undersecretary Dimagiba also reports, “In the meeting, the Philippine School Pads and Notebooks Manufacturers Association, Inc. or PHISPANO, National Bookstore, Bridges Bookstore (formerly Goodwill Bookstore), and Morayta Bookstore (formerly Meriam and Webster Bookstore) declared that their prices are the same for this year compared to three (3) years ago and they are not increasing the prices of their products”.

Undersecretary Dimagiba adds, “The Department extends its appreciation to the manufacturers and traders of schools supplies for its continued support to DTI for the protection of consumers”.

Annually, the DTI-CPG through its Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) requests for the suggested retail prices (SRPs) from the industry members of school and office supplies. The CPAB validates the submitted SRPs against the costs of production particularly raw materials. Once the SRPs are acceptable, the DTI publishes this list of products with the brands and SRPs from manufacturers that will be the reference price guide for distributors and retailers in the market.

Among the school supplies that are in the DTI list of basic and prime goods and are frequently being monitored on their supply and prices are crayons, notebooks (composition, writing and spiral), pad paper (grades 1-4, intermediate), ballpens, and, pencils.

Undersecretary Dimagiba emphasizes, “The DTI targets to publish the price guide for school supplies if not by end of April 2015, by first week of May 2015. We will request the cooperation of the establishments to post the guide in conspicuous places where the consumers can easily access and refer to them”.

“Simultaneously, DTI will conduct its monitoring activities to check not only the reasonableness of prices and the availability of supply of school supplies but also the compliance with specific standards and labeling requirements”, Undersecretary Dimagiba states.

According to the Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, any manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer that if they are found not complying with the requirements of the PNS, they shall face administrative charges, which include a maximum fine of P300,000 per violation.

The DTI-CPG, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), adds the school supplies among the various non-agricultural products that are being monitored per week. Last week, the DTI has found all 40 establishments visited in the National Capital Region (NCR) to be compliant with the SRPs for basic necessities and prime commodities.

Meanwhile, the DTI took note that Nestle’ Philippines has implemented a price rollback for its coffee refill products – 25 grams from P20.75 to P19.75 and 50 grams from P41.00 to P38.95.

Consumers can report or file complaints against unsafe school supplies to DOH/ FDA or overpriced and unlabeled school supplies to the nearest DTI office in their area or call DTI Direct 751.3330 and 0917.8343330.

In Davao del Norte, consumers may file their report at the DTI-Davao del Norte Provincial Office located at Capitol Compound, Mankilam, Tagum City. You may also reach us at telephone numbers (084)216-2309/(084)216-3505 or mobile number 09177221025.