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.
